Charter three-year Lake Geneva Bacon Fest attendee Bobby Zaloudek, of Chicago, famously known as "The Bacon Guy," shares what we loves about the bacon-centric festival.
Lake Geneva’s next Bacon Fest promises to be the biggest local celebration yet of one of America’s favorite foods.
The event returns for its fourth year with expanded hours and a live music roster that collects some of the area’s most well-known tribute acts.
And there will be bacon. Lots of it.
“We have dozens of vendors serving bacon many different ways,” said event organizer David Sherman. “Chocolate covered bacon, bacon dogs, bacon chili — you name it and we will have it.”
Bacon Fest is Friday-Sunday, May 31-June 2, at Flat Iron Park, 201 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva. The park is adjacent to Geneva Lake.
Hours are 4-10 p.m. Friday, May 31 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, June 1 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, June 3.
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Among the performers slated to play are Think Floyd USA, one of the nation’s top Pink Floyd tribute bands.
Delivering a full Floydian audio-visual experience to Lake Geneva as part of its 20-year anniversary tour, Think Floyd USA is expected to be a Bacon Fest highlight, as are other well-known Chicagoland acts and tributes to Elton John, Billy Joel and John Mellencamp.
“The bands we brought in this year are the best in the area,” Sherman said. “Some of these acts normally cost more than $30 to see at concert venues, but they are free with a ticket to that day’s festival.”
New this year is the Very Important Bacon Eaters ticket option — or VIBE — allows even more perks.
VIBE unlocks exclusive access to the stage area, a VIBE lounge, $20 in Bacon Bucks to be used for food and drinks at the event, an exclusive T-shirt and special VIBE express beer lines.
As in the past, a significant amount of the proceeds from Bacon Fest will benefit the Walworth County Food and Diaper Bank.
“They do so much to make sure that everyone has access to sufficient, nutritious food and we are so happy to help them with that mission,” Sherman said.
The music
Headlining June 1 is Mellencamp tribute act Mellencougar. The act is extremely popular in the area, according to Sherman. Lead singer Don Wilson a former radio personality on Kenosha’s WIIL Rock station.
In 2023, Wilson moved to Kentucky, “so it’s rare to have the opportunity to seem them locally these days,” said Sherman.
Simply Elton and Simply Billy perform June 2.
“These shows are not just a regular tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel, they truly make you think you are seeing the original artist,” said Sherman. “The show is that good. And no one has a bigger set of hits than Billy Joel and Elton John, so it’s going to be an incredible Sunday afternoon down by the lake.”
In addition to such popular headliners, other big acts are performing at Bacon Fest.
“The Soul Chasers are a great band from nearby Chicago,” Sherman said. “Rumor Hazit sings top hits of the 80s, and BB and the Honey will kick off Saturday afternoon with everyone’s favorite yacht rock hits.”
Tickets to the Fourth Annual Lake Geneva Bacon Fest are $25 for a three-day pass, $10 for a day pass and $49 for the VIBE ticket presale, plus fees. Ages 12 and younger have free admission throughout the event.
To purchase tickets and for updates on Bacon Fest, go to BaconFestWI.com.
The event is organized by the city of Lake Geneva, the Lake Geneva Regional News and media group Amplified Wisconsin.
In photos and video: Frying up fun at the third annual Lake Geneva Bacon Fest, May 12-14,2023
Bobby "The Bacon Guy" Zaloudek samples bacon cheese curds at the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest
Known popularly as “The Bacon Guy,” Chicago resident Bobby Zaloudek is a charter three-year attendee at Lake Geneva Bacon Fest, shown here sampling bacon cheese curds Saturday at the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest at Flat Iron Park in downtown Lake Geneva. Said Zaloudek of Bacon Fest, “It’s relaxing, it’s a good atmosphere. Good music. Good food. Good friends. It’s just a good time — a mini vacation.”
Bacon sizzles on a griddle at the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest
Bacon sizzles on a griddle at the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest, a celebration of all things bacon. The festival was held May 12-14 in downtown Lake Geneva, drawing a crowd estimated at more than 3,000 across the run of the expanded three-day festival. Without the rains on Friday and Sunday, event organizers said the 2023 festival likely would have set a new attendance record.
Large lines at Smokey Boyz BBQ at the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest
A large line formed for the Smokey Boyz BBQ food stand on Saturday at Lake Geneva Bacon Fest at Flat Iron Park in downtown Lake Geneva. Expanded to three days this year, the May 12-14 festival drew more than 3,000 attendees despite Friday and Sunday rains. Bacon-infused creations served up by Smokey Boyz BBQ included “Million Dollar Bacon,” bacon mac patties, and bacon jalapeño poppers.
Jim Pasterak of Kenosha offers samples of Chocolate Moonshine Company's bacon-infused fudge creations
The terms bacon candy and candied bacon took on a whole new meaning Saturday at the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest at Flat Iron Park in downtown Lake Geneva as Jim Pasternak of Kenosha, owner-operator of Moonshine Coffee Co. offered samples of four special bacon-infused fudge creations — chocolate-covered bacon strips, bourbon bacon fudge, chocolate bacon fudge, chipotle bacon fudge and maple bacon fudge. Said Pasternak, "Eveybody just loves bacon. You can use it in so many different ways. It (Bacon Fest) is a great opportunity to showcase our product."
Charter Bacon Fest vendor Jim Felsenthal of Des Plaines, Ill.-based Smilin' Dawgs
Charter three-year Lake Geneva Bacon Fest food vendor Jim Felsenthal, co-owner of Des Plaines, Ill.-basd Smilin' Dawgs Hot Dogs & More, gives an enthusiastic thumbs up to the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest, held May 12-14 at Flat Iron Park in downtown Lake Geneva. Said Felsenthal, "You're right on the lake, beautiful town, everybody's enjoying themselves and bacon, bacon, bacon. The more I make bacon, the more they eat it ... You put bacon on it, everybody comes. It's a great time. Everybody comes out, havin' fun. That's what it's all about. The more, the merrier."
Zachary Dodge prepares an order at Smokey Boys BBQ during the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest
Zachary Dodge of Trevor, co-owner of Smokey Boyz BBQ, prepares a food order during the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest at Flat Iron Park in downtown Lake Geneva on Saturday. Smokey Boyz was one of 18 food vendors at the expanded 3-day May 12-14 festival.
Executive Chef Abel Roses of Elena In Home Catering prepares an order at the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest
Executive Chef Abel Rosas of Lake Geneva-based Elena In Home Catering, LLC prepares a tacos de carnitas — slow-cooked pork shoulder, guaca salsa, manzano pepper, red onion slaw, garden salsa chicharron, micro cilantro. lime, corn tortilla and a tri-color radish garnish — at the May 12-14, 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest at Flat Iron Park in downtown Lake Geneva.
Kenosha funk, soul and jam bands "Indigo Canyon" performs at the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest
Kenosha funk, soul and jam band “Indigo Canyon,” seen here performing mid-day Saturday, was among the groups headlining the Bertil and Ulla Brunk Performance Pavilion at Flat Iron Park during the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest. Shown from left are Michelle Warnecke, bass and vocals; drummer Dennis Marshall, Jr.; and Todd Steffenhagen, guitar and vocals.
Saul Najera grills bacon strips at the 2023 Lake Geneva Bacon Fest
Lake Geneva resident Saul Najera, a sous chef with Lake Geneva-based Elena In Home Catering, grills bacon Saturday at the third annual Lake Geneva Bacon Fest, held May 12-14 at Flat Iron Park in downtown Lake Geneva. Elena i Home Catering served up two varieties of bacon - applewood smoked bacon and rosemary smoked candied bacon.
