Photo Credit: Elisabeth Biebl
It is hard to define just how good bacon is. Salty, fatty strips of mouthwatering porky goodness that, whether on its own or partnered with pretty much anything else, offers up an unrivaled explosion of taste. Yes, life is much better with bacon in it and you would be very hard pressed to argue that there is anything better. Anything better, that is, except more bacon. What if there was a way to have 3,000 pounds of our favorite slabs of swine paired with bourbons from all over the world? Sounds dreamy, right? It just so happens that dreams can come true and you can at the 2019 Keystone Bacon and Bourbon Festival.
Photo Credit: Elisabeth Biebl
3,000 Pounds of Bacon Served in Every Way Imaginable
What started as a simple summer festival based around the world's single greatest food item has now tripled in size over the past nine years and this year is more family focused than ever. As always, the event's admission and the live music is free but at its core, this festival is all about the bacon. This year there will be more than ever with over 3,000 pounds of the delectable treat provided by the events sponsors. On top of all that, over twenty food vendors will be on site whipping up their best bacon-centric dishes including but not limited to the perennial favorite, Bacon Bloody Mary.
Photo Credit: Elisabeth Biebl
The sky's the limit when it comes to these bacon driven culinary creations and this year's chefs are primed and ready to tantalize your taste buds. With this amount of pork, you'll need something to wash it all down. The perfect pairing to cut through and compliment all of that salt and fat. Yes, I'm talking about the other key component of this festival, bourbon.
Photo Credit: Elisabeth Biebl
How About Some Bourbon to Wash it All Down?
There will also be no shortage of this wonderful spirit at the Bacon and Bourbon Festival. This year's Jim Beam Bourbon Tour will take whiskey and bourbon enthusiasts on a worldwide trip to taste whiskeys and bourbons from all over the globe. A fictional trip that begins and ends in the Centennial State where there will also be a focus on local Colorado products. Interested in more than just drinking bourbon and actually learning how to whip up your own festival worthy mixed drinks? The Tour will feature Maker’s Mark Mix It Sessions so attendees can learn how to make their favorite bourbon cocktails, such as Old Fashion’s, right at the event.
Photo Credit: Keystone Resort
Bring the Kids. There is Plenty of Bacon to Go Around
Now, as a festival loving father of three, I know exactly what all of you parents are thinking that this all sounds phenomenal but are wondering what you will do with your kids. Bring them! This year's event is more family focused than ever and the kiddos will love it. New this year is Camp Bacon, a mini-festival within the bigger Bacon and Bourbon Festival. I wish they had something called Camp Bacon when I was a kid, especially one like this that includes kid-themed bacon talks, free face painting, EpicMix Photo Booth, crafts, and even an amped up interactive experience for kids called the Cave of Confusion. Kids can also become a “Bacon Camp Ranger” and compete in a kid’s bacon eating competition, just like the adult bacon competition that happens every year.
Photo Credit: Elisabeth Biebl
“After nine years of the Bacon Festival, this summer we aim to create an
experience for every member of the family,” says Maja Russer, director of
events and marketing for the Keystone Neighbourhood Company, the
organization which produces the festival. “By incorporating education
around bacon and fun activities for the kids, while still maintaining quality
food, music and an exclusive Bourbon Tour from Jim Beam, we are
excited to make this year’s festival better than ever before.”
Photo Credit: Elisabeth Biebl
3,000 pounds of bacon, a worldwide bourbon tour and kid focused events like Camp Bacon...this seems like a no brainer. So mark your calendars the weekend of June 22-23 and get your tickets now. The Keystone Bacon and Bourbon Festival is as good as it gets.
