It’s the last day of Bacon Week here at n00bcakes, culminating with the instigator: BaconFest!

As I mentioned in my first post, BaconFest is a festival and fundraiser for Dad’s Garage, a local comedy/theater company.  It took off yesterday at 1pm and was…definitely interesting.

My friend Steven and I went together, opting to go with the “Bottomless Bacon” tickets, giving us unlimited bacon, beer, and game admission.  Note his stylish blue wristband marking us as Bottomless Bacon-eaters.  When we first entered we were given exactly what you see above: a plastic cup literally stuffed with bacon.  Classy.

In fact, I think “classy” is really the best adjective for the entire afternoon we spent at BaconFest.  Let’s check out some of straight-laced experiences that were offered:

 

I think my favorites by far were the Terrible Caricature and Hobo Wine Tasting booths.  Dad’s Garage being a comedy theater, the volunteers manning the booths kept the jokes rolling and everyone in good humor.

At the Hobo Wine Tasting two fine gentlemen offered everyone Dixie cups with three highly esteemed beverages: MD 20/20 – Orange Jubilee, “Lost Vineyards” Cabernet Sauvignon, and Richards Wild Irish Rose.  They told most excellent stories about each, my favorite probably being that the “Argentina” location of the Lost Vineyards wine actually referred to Argentina, Georgia, home of a well known actor we all recognize from part six of a movie franchise.  Or maybe it was that Richards of Richards Wild Irish Rose killed his business partner and mixed his blood in with the wine to get that oh-so-special taste.  Drink up quickly – don’t let the soul escape from your cup!

The Terrible Caricatures were also entertaining, but I think I actually got a pretty sweet deal when comparing my drawing to those of others.  Before the caricature process started I was asked to share a bit about myself, my hopes and dreams, perhaps.  I shared the fact that I’d like to hike the Appalachian trail.  This yielded a most excellent picture:

Nice, right?  Thanks to Z for doing me justice (and making my legs look so svelt).  Now I’ll never forget to bring my broadsword backpacking with me.

The Wheelchair Obstacle Course and Dunk Tank were basically exactly what they sounded like; major props to the men who sat shivering on a platform in the overcast and rain hurling insults at people dropping them into cold water (and the scantily clad ladies cajoling people into playing).  Also props to everyone who took time to bumble around cones and cans in a wheelchair.  As for the Heavy Petting Zoo…don’t be alarmed.  It was just people in animal costumes giving people hugs. 🙂

Additionally there were local groups there promoting themselves and supporting Dad’s Garage.  Above you can see The Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, a community band who played a lot of fun songs (everything from “Louie Louie” to “Misirlou“) and was obviously having waaaay too much fun.  There was a local craft beer brewing company, Wild Heaven, giving out both full beers and some free samples, Pine Street Market with bacon samples, as well as a sandwich shop whose name I unfortunately cannot remember.  The Atlanta Bar-B-Q Club also made an appearance with some BBQ sauce favorites…and I shouldn’t forget the Vortex was naturally there too.  With all the games, music, and these local companies giving out samples, as well as a superb silent auction, there was plenty to do.

But then it started raining.

It was a bummer; it rained pretty hard off and on for a good hour or more and it put a can on some of the music that was playing.  But even so Steven and I had spent several hours there before leaving, and I’m sure the party went on when the rain let up a bit.

In the final analysis, I admit BaconFest wasn’t exactly what I expected (I think I expected a larger variety of bacon or pork), but it was nonetheless a fun romp in Atlanta with beer, bacon, ridiculous games, and the warm-fuzzy feeling you get when you get to support locals.  And I may have left with a bit of a stomachache…but dear god, at least I can stop eating bacon now. ^_^

Thanks everybody for reading along with Bacon Week…I hope it was enjoyable!