Thousands of people came together in Urbandale, Iowa for the popular Blue Ribbon BaconFestival celebrating all things connected with the meat, according to the Associated Press. People arrived dressed in creative costumes like Viking hats and makeshift snouts.
The annual event saw more than 10,000 pounds of bacon cooked in every way possible. Visitors could enjoy bacon gumbo, chocolate bacon bourbon tarts, and even Icelandic bacon dishes. Some pieces of bacon were made into deserts by being dipped in chocolate or baked into cupcakes. There was even bacon gelato.
"I love bacon more than I love my job," said Katie Nordquist, who wore a tuxedo T-shirt that resembled bacon for her first visit to the festival.
The event has attracted a lot of attention having sold about 8,000 tickets to the event in a little over three minutes. The festival also included lectures about bacon eating as well as a bacon queen pageant. A pig was even pardoned by Governor Terry Branstad.
Resident Mike Vogel made his fourth appearance to the festival wearing a complete bacon costume. "I think it's the right time of year when everybody's been cooped up," said the 39-year-old videographer. "It's a good time to get out, have some fun, try some new stuff, have a few beers and enjoy yourselves with everybody else."