Bacon-Loving Crowd Enjoys a Wide Variety of Bacon Treats at 2018 Star City BaconFest

The 2018 Star City BaconFest (starcitybaconfest.com) drew its largest crowd on Sunday, April 22. With over 600 people enjoying bacon-inspired treats from leading Lincoln-area restaurants. The event was hosted by the Cornhusker Marriot Hotel.

The annual event, sponsored by the Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA) and the Nebraska Restaurant Association (NRA), benefits culinary students in the state and will provide over $5,000 in scholarships through the NRA’s Hospitality Education Foundation.

BaconFest-goers were asked to vote for their favorite treats again this year. First place: Ashland Country Club, for its Sweet & Spicy Bacon Bite; Second place: Coops Corner for its Bacon Ice Cream; Third place: Venue Restaurant for its Pastrami Cured Bacon Arepas.

Participating vendors included: 9 South Char Grill, Ashland Golf Club, Billy’s Restaurant, Cappy’s Hot Spot Bar and Grill, Coop’s Corner, HiWay Diner, HopCat, Leadbelly, McKinney’s, The Normandy, Smoking Gun Jerky, That Place Steakhouse & Saloon, The Eatery, Screamers Dining & Caberet, Single Barrel, and Venue Restaurant & Lounge. Special thanks to Hormel for providing all the bacon used by the chefs.

Entertainment was provided by Screamers Dining and Cabaret, where several different performers entertained the crowd throughout the evening.