The 4th Annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival Gains a National Sponsor

Every year I make pilgrimage to Des Monies, Iowa to attend the Annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival. This year the guys that are putting it on told me some exciting news. They got a national sponsor, Beggin’ Strips! Yes, the dog treat. Don’t worry the event isn’t going to be just for dogs.

In just 4 years they have turned a small gathering of bacon lovers in to America’s premier bacon festival. With the support of Nestlé Purina Pet Care I can only imagine its going to get better.

They told me that the day of the event is not going to be for dog bacon lovers. But, in the days leading up to the festival they will have dog friendly events. The goal of Purina is to reminds us, while we calibrate, that dogs love bacon too!

I can’t wait to find out what other surprises next years bacon fest holds.

Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival Attracts an Unexpected National Sponsor

“WARNING: If you smell like bacon, throwing your dog a bone just won’t cut it.”

(Des Moines, IA) – Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, America’s premier bacon festival, has attracted an unexpected presenting sponsor, Beggin’ Strips®. “Partnering with Nestlé Purina Pet Care provides us with an opportunity to encourage dog owners to bring home the Beggin’®,” says Brooks Reynolds, co-founder of the festival. Reynolds continues, “If dog owners return home from our festival smelling like bacon, throwing their dog a bone just won’t cut it.”

Stephen Trammell, assistant brand manager, Nestlé Purina Dog Snacks brand pet food, adds, “Bacon lovers come in all shapes and sizes, some have two legs and some have four. Beggin’ Strips® is excited to be a part of next year’s Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival. We want to make sure that people remember how much their furry friends love the taste of bacon. Afterall, Beggin’® is like bacon for dogs.”

The 4th Annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival will take place on Saturday, February 26, 2011. Ticket sales will be announced in December. Historically, the festival has doubled in size every year and sold out quickly. With plans to accommodate over 1,500 bacon lovers in 2011 the event will move to Capital Square in downtown Des Moines. The larger space will also allow for more bacon purveyors, live music, comprehensive bacon education and better acoustics for ‘Ohhhhh, Bacon’ cheers.

Last year attendees consumed 1,200 lbs of bacon which is approximately 30,000 strips. If laid end to end it would reach the height of Empire State Building, 12 times over!

When asked what’s in store for 2011, Reynolds replies, “We found inspiration in the movie, Field of Dreams. And, we’re convinced that if we fry it, they will come.” Reynolds laughs, “I’m sorry. I must stop there. I’ve already said too much.”

About Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival
What started as a groups’ passion for “all things bacon” has evolved into America’s premier bacon festival. In 2001, a group of guys began celebrating bacon during an annual weekend retreat in Spirit Lake, IA. Six years later, they pursued a deeper understanding of their favorite meat by earning “All About Bacon” diplomas from Living History Farms. On March 1st, 2008, officially organized under the Iowa Bacon Board and led by Brooks Reynolds, they went on to found a festival: a festival with the mission of improving the enjoyment of all things bacon by providing education, recognition, advocacy and research on behalf of the masses, everyone, everywhere, all of them. They are serious. Seriously, dudes. Seriously.

About Nestlé Purina Pet Care
Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. The North American headquarters for Nestlé Purina PetCare is located at Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Missouri. Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A. — the world’s largest food company. For more, visit www.purina.com.