RIVER FALLS – Bacon enthusiasts rejoice! River Falls’ Bacon Bash will return in-person this year Sept. 18-19 to celebrate all things bacon with delicious food, fun activities and live music.

“We’re excited to be back in-person for this year’s event, combining tradition with new ideas,” said Emily Kovach-Nelson, the event and program manager for the River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau. “This year, we’ve expanded our Saturday hours and added more music.”

Guests can enjoy bacon, beverages and live music from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

“We’ll also have craft vendors, the Sunday Car Cruze on Main Street, and kids’ and family activities including the annual ‘When Pigs Fly’ event, kids’ corn box and Piggies on the Kinni,” Kovach- Nelson said. “We’re excited to add a cornhole tournament on Sunday, as well as beer and wine tasting events.”

Guests age 21 and older can sample Wisconsin-made beer and wine from 2-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-3 p.m. Sunday.

A highlight of the festival is trying a wide variety of baconcentered dishes, including bacon cheese curds; chicken, bacon and ranch pocket sandwiches, bacon poutine, bacon pizza and even bacon kettle corn! The possibilities for bacon-riffic foods are endless, so come with a big appetite.

To make the festival as safe for volunteers, vendors and attendees as possible, the chamber has been conferring with the Pierce County Public Health Department to follow local safety and sanitation guidelines.

“With the help of our Chamber Board, Bacon Bash Committee and generous local sponsors, we are excited to put on a great event!” Kovach-Nelson said.

More information and upcoming announcements can be found at www.riverfallsbaconbash.com or on Facebook.

Schedule of events Saturday

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Craft vendors

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Kids activities (corn box, yard games, coloring pages, scavenger hunt)

10 a.m. Bacon Bash kick-off

10:30 a.m. When Pigs Fly

11:30 a.m. Piggies on the Kinni

1:30 p.m. Kids eating contest

2:30 p.m. Piggies on the Kinni

3:30 p.m. Adult eating contest

5:30 p.m. Piggies on the Kinni

6:30 p.m. When Pigs Fly

7-10 p.m. Tim Sigler Band at Heritage Park

Sunday

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Craft vendors

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Car Cruze

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids activities (corn box, yard games, coloring pages, scavenger hunt)

10:30 a.m. When Pigs Fly

11 a.m. Cornhole tournament

11:30 a.m. Piggies on the Kinni Noon – Kids bacon eating contest

1 p.m. Adults bacon eating contest TBD – Harmonica lessons TBD – Everett Smith Band

2 p.m. Pet costume contest

2:30 p.m. Piggies on the Kinni

3:30 p.m. When Pigs Fly

Photo courtesy of River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau