South Burnett Regional Council urges locals to celebrate bacon their own way after Covid-19 cancels BaconFest 2021

While BaconFest won’t be cooking up a storm in Kingaroy, the council is calling on residents find their own way of celebrating all things pork this year.

South Burnett Regional Council is calling on locals to celebrate bacon in their own way after Covid forced the cancellation of the much-loved event, which was due to kick off tomorrow.

Concerns over Covid outbreaks across the country forced the organising committee to make the agonising decision to cancel the event, just weeks out from the festival – with the Blackbutt Avo festival also facing the same fate.

Now, the South Burnett Regional Council is encouraging residents to celebrate bacon their own way this weekend.

“In the spirit of BaconFest and anticipation of what’s to come, I’d encourage you to back our local pork producers and incredible Sunpork team by frying up some bacon, wearing your BaconFest merchandise or sharing a BaconFest memory on your social media this month,” Councillor Kirstie Schumacher said.

Kirstie Schumacher

The councillor said while the festival creates a “giant economic boost” across the region, as well as promoting the South Burnett, it was the sense of community that BaconFest created, which was the greatest asset.

“While the money injected is wonderful and has assisted the growth of the festival to destination event status, I believe the loss of opportunities for social connectedness and community inclusion are even greater, so please take care of each other,” she said.

The organising committee for the festival has already pledged to make next year’s event even “pigger”, and Ms Schumacher is confident the team will pull it off.

“Now more than ever, we must be there to support each other, while I can’t speak for council, I know that we are absolutely behind our community, this event and as always will do what we can to help to ensure 2022 is ‘pigger’ than ever before,” she said.