Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival

View on map
Food & DrinkDes Moines
DatesDates TBA · Usually AprilCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forRegional food & drinkThe festival's distinction is extending a
Language["en"]Currency: USD
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival in Des Moines

Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival serves bacon samples and bacon-heavy dishes throughout the day, with crowds gathering for bacon-eating contests and other playful competitions. Bacon-themed community bike rides with the Iowa Bike Coalition extend the celebration beyond the tasting tables. Des Moines treats the whole day as equal parts food festival and community event.

Outside High Life Lounge and El Bait Shop, the line buzzes like a tailgate, and the first thing you catch is that warm, smoky smell curling over the block.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's distinction is extending a food theme into unexpected formats: bacon samples and bacon-heavy dishes anchor the tasting side, bacon-eating contests and playful competitions add a spectator element beyond simply eating, and bacon-themed community bike rides with the Iowa Bike Coalition turn the celebration into active participation rather than only standing in line at food booths

02

The mystery stays covered

That range keeps the festival from feeling like a single long tasting session

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's identity rests on bacon samples and bacon-heavy dishes served throughout the day

Water and renewal

Living ritual

bacon-eating contests and playful competitions

The sacred route

Living ritual

and a bacon-themed community bike ride with the Iowa Bike Coalition

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually April

Getting around

Arrive early for popular stalls and pace the route instead of trying to taste everything.

What to wear

Riders joining the Iowa Bike Coalition's bacon-themed ride should dress in layers they can shed once they are back among the tasting tables, while everyone else can stick to casual clothes...

Safety

Use normal food-market caution, hydrate, and leave time between crowded stalls.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

["en"] · USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.60 N, 93.61 WOpen in Google Maps

Des Moines, United States

TransportArrive early for popular stalls and pace the route instead of trying to taste everything.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Des Moines via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Des Moines, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for April.Compare faresFestival gearRiders joining the Iowa Bike Coalition's bacon-themed ride should dress in layers they can shed once they are back among the tasting tables, while everyone else can stick to casual clothes that can take a little grease near the eating-contest crowd. Expect a packed, warm room around High Life Lounge and El Bait Shop.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival?

Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival is listed for Past edition: 18 April 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Des Moines, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Des Moines, United States

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLblueribbonbaconfestival.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually April
Source statusOfficial source linked
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