2022 Kingaroy BaconFest kicks off with thousands attending on Saturday

BaconFest in Kingaroy hosted thousands of festival goers who came to eat bacon in a number of ways, as well as participate in competitions and enjoy bacon-inspired performances.

BaconFest in Kingaroy hosted a number of events at the weekend, and vendors came from all around Queensland, bringing thousands into the rural town from near and far.

The three-day festival celebrated the pork industry and its contribution to the local economy.

If festival goers weren’t enjoying the many bacon-infused treats from food vendors across the festival, they had the opportunity to enter into the bacon eating competition, the BaconFest pinup pageant and even showcase their beards in the Beard of BaconFest contest.

Deputy chief baconeer Sheena Lindholm said the festival began five years ago to celebrate not only bacon but everything that was produced in Kingaroy and the South Burnett region, such as the citrus that came from north of the region and other produce.

“The thing about Kingaroy BaconFest is that it has grown right from the start … we know Australians really love bacon, and I guess we’re trying to celebrate that Australian story,” Ms Lindholm said.

“From our producer’s point of view, they work really hard to deliver us food here in Australia, so it’s really good we get to make them heroes and celebrate them.”

Ms Lindholm said not only did the festival host a plethora of food vendors, competitions and performances, but attendees could also peruse the artisan market where pigs and bacon were celebrated in artistic ways.

“We kind of tried to add every angle to it, so it’s really inclusive in what we’re trying to do,” Ms Lindholm said.

ABA Smoke-Off Competition

The Smokin Sappers BBQ team, Dan Marsden (left), Shane Crouch and Andrew Burbury at the 2022 Kingaroy BaconFest. Picture: Sarah Petty

The 24-hour Australasian Barbecue Alliance sanctioned SunPork Smoke-off competition hosts many teams that head to Kingaroy to see who can barbecue the best.

For the main event on Sunday, teams receive a box of proteins including brisket, racks of ribs, pork shoulders, chickens and pork belly which are then presented to judges at the end of the day.

Bronwyn Durston, a member of the Bundaberg-based ‘Bulldogs BBQ’ said it was their third time at BaconFest and they had competed in competition barbecue for six years.

“It’s a real family, the barbecue world … that’s probably one of the main reasons we come. The cooking is fun, but to catch up with your mates is great,” Ms Durston said.

“We all want to win, but we are happy when our friends win.”

The Brisbane-based ‘Smokin Sappers BBQ’ team also made the trek to Kingaroy, and is made up of military veterans.

Andrew Burbury, team captain of the ‘Smokin Sappers BBQ’, said while they all loved to barbecue, the objective of the team was to bring military veterans who might be isolated into a social environment on their own terms.

“We don’t just do this competition, but we also try to engage veterans who don’t engage socially and bring them away for a weekend and just chill, and do some barbecue and have a good time,” Mr Burbury said.

The available prize pool for the event is over $18,000.

BaconFest Pinup Pageant

Miss Gertie Bloom (left), Jacquelyn, and Honey Bee, winners of the 2022 Kingaroy BaconFest Pinup Pageant. Picture: Sarah Petty

A major event on Saturday, the BaconFest Pinup Pageant, has been running since the first BaconFest and celebrates vintage glamour and bacon-themed pinup costumes.

Bettie Butcher from Pinups of Australia hosted the event, where 10 finalists took to the stage to show off their creativity and take on pinup culture, infused with the spirit of the festival.

BaconFest’s chief baconeer and pageant co-ordinator Kristy Board said she adored the pinup culture, and it was exciting to bring extra colour into the festival.

“The ladies every year have a really great time hamming it up,” Ms Board said.

Every finalist received a loaded prize pack, and the winner received a crown and sash.

BaconFest Pinup Pageant winner Jacquelyn said it had been a super fun day, and she was incredibly happy to have taken home the crown.

“I actually entered last year when it went online, and so I had to come today to enjoy the full experience, and it’s been really, really amazing,” she said.