140 vendors, restaurants to dish up everything bacon

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Easton is going high on the hog. 

The Greater Easton Development Partnership is bringing Pa Bacon Fest (PABF) to town Nov. 4-5, offering two days of everything and anything bacon for the 12th year.  

Named one of the country’s “5 Can’t Miss Bacon Festivals” by Parade.com. and one of the top 300 festivals in the world by Fest300.com, Greater Easton Development Partnership said Bacon Lovers Unite: a ‘Crispy Revolution’ is one of the most anticipated food festivals in the mid-Atlantic region.  

The two-day event will feature more than 140 vendors sharing bacon-infused and inspired dishes, both savory and sweet. 

From bacon-wrapped delicacies to bacon-studded desserts, the event brings flavor and excitement to the Easton every year with a jam-packed schedule of live music, hog-calling, costumes, demonstrations, cook-offs, activities, races, bacon eating contests and more, the organization said.  

A fundraiser for Greater Easton Development Partnership, the proceeds support free events and programming throughout the year in Easton, such as Fourth Fridays, Live at the Falls (Summer Concert Series), and West Ward Market. 

“As a platform to support local businesses and artisans, a wide audience of locals and visitors alike gravitate to the heart of Centre Square to experience a true extravaganza, celebrating community, fostering Easton’s culinary heritage, and bringing all together for a shared love of the simple joys of bacon,” Greater Easton Development Partnership said. 

PA Bacon Fest serves up a bacon bash including the 50/50 burger (half beef, half bacon) from Three Oak Steakhouse and a pork belly cinnamon roll with maple bacon bourbon BBQ sauce from Lehigh Valley Barbeque.  

There are international interpretations including a bacon tikka burger from Aman’s Indian Bistro and bacon waffle topped with bacon brittle and sweet butter from Two Rivers Brewing.  

That’s on top of other pork specialties like sausages, barbecue and pork belly in addition to peanut butter bacon brownie bites and dozens of desserts that feature bacon in starring and supporting roles, Greater Easton Development Partnership said. 

Three home cooks will get into the action at 2 p.m. Saturday as they cook their way through a mystery bag of fresh ingredients from Easton Public Market and a pound of pasture-raised bacon from Breakaway Farms. 

On Sunday at 2 p.m., professional chefs take center stage when reigning champion Abe Lopez, executive chef of Stoke Coal Fire Pizza & Bar will battle two professional chefs for the title of 2023 BACONATOR. They too will cook their way through a mystery bag of fresh ingredients from the Easton Public Market and a pound of pasture-raised bacon from Breakaway Farms. 

In addition to bacon, the festival features five stages with more than 30 local bands and musical acts offering classic rock to bluegrass, pop to country. 

For more information, visit pabaconfest.com/activities.