Kingaroy BaconFest 2023 festival preview

A sizzling, bacon-filled weekend of fun is fast approaching at Kingaroy‘s Baconfest 2023, set to be bigger and better than ever. Here’s what you need to know.

A sizzling, bacon-filled weekend of fun is fast approaching at Kingaroy‘s Baconfest 2023, set to be bigger and better than ever.

The highly anticipated Baconfest is back in Kingaroy and this year‘s celebration promises to be the biggest one yet.

The festival, first held in 2018, is making a triumphant return for its second year after a two-year hiatus during Covid.

Chief baconeer Anitta Stallwood said the event is a quirky and fun celebration of all things bacon.

The 2023 event is expected to host over 16,000 guests, feature celebrity chefs, bacon themed competitions and will showcase local talent.

The fun kicks off on Friday, August 18, and continues until Sunday, August 20.

Chief baconeer Anitta Stallwood said the event was a quirky and fun celebration of all things bacon, making it a “family-friendly affair that unites the entire community”.

“Beyond the festivities, the festival also aims to raise awareness about the bacon industry in the South Burnett region, home to the largest pork production plant in the Southern Hemisphere, Swickers, which employs up to 700 people,” Mrs Stallwood said.

The festival is jam packed with games and events for all ages.

“It‘s important to recognise and value something that gives so much to our town,” she said.

The festival serves as a platform for local businesses that sponsor the event, and 200 generous volunteers have given their time to contribute to ensure the weekend runs smoothly.

Mrs Stallwood said Baconfest 2022 injected more than $1 million into the local economy.

This year, the festival has attracted prominent celebrity chefs, including Miguel Maestre from Channel 10‘s The Living Room and Alastair McLeod of Ready, Steady, Cook who will lead the “cooking against the clock” competition.

Organisers have introduced a quiet space for people with disabilities to relax.

“This will give them the chance to relax, reset their senses, and enjoy the festivities,” Mrs Stallwood said.

“The quiet space offers an inclusive environment for everyone to participate in the fun,” she said.

Other highlights include a $5 registration fee bacon eating competition, which challenges participants to eat as much bacon as they can with their hands tied behind their backs.

The winner of the final round will receive a year’s supply of bacon, courtesy of SunPork.

The winner of the bacon eating competition will receive a year’s supply of bacon, courtesy of SunPork. Photo: SunPork employee.

The Little Piggies area will cater to the younger crowd with crafts, games, and fun, while the Pig Den at O‘Neill Square will provide teenagers with art competitions and music, including a Battle of the Bands.

With more than 150 food vendors offering delectable bacon-infused dishes, Baconfest is bound to delight attendees with unique creations like bacon ice cream and bacon rocky road.

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Mrs Stallwood said the committee was buzzing with excitement for the festival, which she hopes will become a beloved Kingaroy tradition for years to come.

Tickets are available here and are discounted by 50 per cent when purchased online.