Easton's Baconfest Gets a Sequel

If last year's inaugural Easton Farmers' Market Baconfest was, say, Iron Man, this year's version will be The Avengers.

Organizers even announced like a sequel at a news conference Friday afternoon: Baconfest II, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, and will feature 60 vendors, bacon-themed cooking competitions, pig racing, and Elvis impersonators.

Also: there'll be enough bacon for everyone.

"Last year, we ran out of bacon before 1 p.m.," said Megan McBride, the market's manager. This year, there should be enough vendors to keep that from happening.

Here's a quick rundown of what's happening:

FOOD & DRINK

You can sample everything from bacon chowder to bacon Sundaes, as well as—if all goes well in the brewery—Two Rivers Brewing's bacon maple brown ale.

COMPETITIONS & DEMONSTRATIONS

• 10:30 a.m. -- Hog Heaven Cupcake Competition, which challengers master pastry chefs and home bakers to make bacon-themed cupcakes. Entry is $5. You can visit www.PABaconFest.com for an entry form.
• Noon -- Bacon Battle, featuring chefs from Two Rivers, Valenca, Maxim's 22 and Pearly Baker's making a three course, bacon-themed meal in a "Chopped" style competition.
•  2:30 p.m. -- Cheek to Cheek, where Two Rivers chef Jeremy Bialker and Nate Thomas of Breakaway Farms demonstrate the art of "snot to tail" cooking, preparing dishes with every part of a pasture raised pig. For $25, guests can sample more than seven dishes, paired with beers from Easton's Weyerbacher brewery. Seating is limited, and advance purchase is suggested. Call 610-330-9942.

• 2 p.m. -- The Hunka Hunka Burnin' Bacon contest, which lets aspiring Elvis impersonators show off their best voice, dance moves, and ability to make a bacon, peanut butter and banana sandwich. Applications at www.pabaconfest.com.
• 3 p.m. -- Hog Calling Contest, open to kids and adults
• There will be live music throughout the day, including bluegrass from the Twin Rivers Rounders from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., funk, jazz and R&B from Doug Hawk from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the New Jersey dance band Kenobe from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.