AMES, Iowa – From cupcakes to traditional bacon items, 21 tents will be filled with vendors and student clubs at the Oct. 19 first-ever Iowa State University Bacon Expo at the Iowa State Scheman Center courtyard from 1-5 p.m.
“We are excited to have such a diverse selection of bacon products and vendors,” said Jake Swanson, president of the Iowa State University Agricultural and Life Sciences Student Council. “These vendors really highlight the versatility of bacon.”
The Bacon Expo is focused on providing a fun and educational atmosphere for attendees. Two of the main events will include an Iowa State Fashion Show and a bacon eating contest, which contestants have already signed up to enter.
The Iowa State Fashion Show will host a design competition, “How Do You Wear Your Bacon?” Teams of two to three people will have one hour to create a garment highlighting bacon. The teams will be judged and featured on stage following the competition.
Iowa State student organizations and clubs will showcase club activities. Each club was asked to include bacon in its display. The Block and Bridle Club partnered with the meat lab to provide samples of barbecued bacon.
The 1,200 tickets for the event went on sale Sept. 6 and were sold out within two days. At the event a $5 punch card will be sold for attendees to purchase five bacon samples.
The two main sponsors of the event, Elanco and Iowa Select Farms, will be on hand with interactive displays.
“We are so proud to be able to showcase bacon in such a unique and edible fashion,” said Kristin Liska, a senior in animal science and co-chair of the Bacon Expo.
More than 1,200 pounds of bacon will be available for the event. Vendors for the Bacon Expo include The Superdog Stand, Scratch Cupcakery, Webster City Custom Meats, Hormel Food Corp., Cookies etc., the Iowa State Meat Lab and Block and Bridle, Reiks View Farms, Berkwood Farms and the Iowa Pork Producers.
