May the bacon be with you when the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival returns in May

All things bacon take center stage when the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival returns for its 16th anniversary in May.

This year, the ode to bacon takes place on May 4 at the Agriculture Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and embraces the theme “Bacon Wars — May the Bacon be with You!”

Fans refer to May 4 as the official celebration of “Star Wars” and Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival founder Brooks Reynolds said a “Star Wars” theme has always been a dream.

“We decided to move the date up a week, to not conflict with college graduations, and May 4 was the date. It seemed like the force wielded its power to have these two great things align.”

The event includes bacon-themed vendors, live entertainment, and the cover band The Pork Tornadoes. Reynolds also teased a space-themed cantina, craft beers from Iowa, more themed bars, a silent disco, ax throwing, and more space-themed attractions.

Tickets start at $29 on the festival’s website.

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival 2024 takes place on May 4