August 11, 2018
Kingaroy’s going pig-crazy at the moment (is there any pink paint left in town?) as the BaconFest weekend of events trots even closer …
The winners of the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s BaconFest window competition were revealed on Thursday (see below) after the official judging earlier in the week by local MP Deb Frecklington, Officer-in-Charge of Kingaroy Police David Tierney and KCCI vice-president Brett Irwin.
Involving the police in a pig-themed competition seems a brave move on the part of festival organisers, but step inside the Kingaroy Police Station and you’ll see the local boys and girls in blue are taking it all in very good humour.
On the OIC’s door is the nameplate “Chief Pig” and there’s even a flying pig (ham burglar? a pork chopper?) escaping with the loot … as well as lots and lots of Wanted pig posters.
Kingaroy Police aren’t the only local organisation getting into the BaconFest swing.
Take a stoll down Haly Street and you’ll see some weary pink pigs taking a break around a campfire outside Star Tyrepower (they’re really tyre-d), the Three Little Piggies exploring housing options at Raine & Horne (where else?) as well as pigs of all shapes and sizes in many other windows.
Down in Kingaroy Street, Miss Piggy (remember her?) is shopping for fashions at Trendsetter while even the Lifeline shop is hamming it up.
Of course, a butcher shop is always pork, ham and bacon-themed but The Little Butcher in Shoppingworld has really gone bacon-mad at the moment.
There’s a big bacon barbecue, inflatable pigs and pig-themed writing everywhere.
Owner Clinton Stretton is also being kept busy slicing up 100kg of bacon which will be used at different times during BaconFest.
So what is BaconFest all about?
The festival is being held from August 24-26 (see events list, below).
It’s an opportunity for the South Burnett to celebrate one of the region’s most important industries, and salute Swickers, one of the region’s largest employers.
And, of course, just about everyone enjoys bacon!
SunPork is the major sponsor although the Federal Government and the South Burnett Regional Council have also tipped in money and support to make the inaugural event a success.
If you’d like more information, Bacon Man (the biggest walking flitch you’ll ever see) and some of his helpers will be at Kingaroy Shoppingworld on Saturday morning between 10:00am and noon.
There’ll be BaconFest memorabilia for sale, including aprons and T-shirts plus the opportunity to have your photograph taken with Bacon Man.
Local photographer Nancy Jayde will be taking professional photos which will be uploaded to her website where people can download them for free.
Shoppers will also have the chance to enter a draw to win a special BaconFest prize pack including prizes donated by The Little Butcher and Flamingo Wish.
The giveaway will be drawn at 11:00am.
The BaconFest team is also looking for volunteers to help during the festival weekend (and even help with some sewing this weekend) so if you can lend a hand, just tell Bacon Man on Saturday.
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KCCI BaconFest Shop Window Competition
Official entries were received from:
- Anderssons Fruit
- Crowies Paints
- Deb Frecklington MP
- Dollars & Sense
- Glendon Street Cafe
- Kay Apparel and Home Butchers Supplies
- Kingaroy Country Motel
- Kingaroy Discount Drug Store
- Kingaroy Home Aids & First Aid Training
- Kingaroy Lifeline
- Kingaroy Office Central
- Kingaroy Police Station
- Kingaroy Trendsetter
- Kingaroy Visitor Info Centre
- Linard Floral
- Pink Poppy
- Pursers Travel & Cruise
- Raine & Horne Kingaroy
- South Burnett Garage Doors
- South Burnett Regional Council – Economic Development window
- South Burnett Regional Council – Library
- South Burnett Times
- Star Tyrepower
- The Little Butcher
(But keep an eye out … there’s a couple of unofficial pig-themed windows around Kingaroy, too.)
The winners were:
- The Little Butcher – 2018 Best Bacon Theme
- Kingaroy Lifeline – 2018 Most Creative Pigtastic Window
The following businesses were Highly Commended:
- Kingaroy Police Station
- Raine & Horne Kingaroy
- Star Tyrepower
- Trendsetter Boutique
* * *
Official BaconFest Events
Friday, August 24:
- SunPork Wine and Swine Dinner with live entertainment from 10-piece band, Murphy’s Pigs, at Kingaroy Town Hall forecourt in Glendon Street, Kingaroy, 6:00pm to 10:00pm – $102 per ticket.
- Kevin Bacon Film Festival at Kingaroy’s Satellite Cinema, Short Street (various times)
Saturday, August 25:
- Rail Trail Rasher’s Rush – A running and cycling event along the South Burnett Rail Trail, 7:30am to 10:00am (starts at Memorial Park in Haly Street)
- Little Piggies in the Park – A special event for pre-primary and primary-aged kids, 8:00am to noon in Memorial Park, Haly Street
- BaconFest Food Market – Food market, live music, cooking demonstrations in Glendon Street, Kingaroy, 10:00am to 8:00pm (gold coin donation)
- Kevin Bacon Film Festival at Kingaroy’s Satellite Cinema, Short Street (various times)
- Miss BaconFest 2018 Pin-Up Pageant featuring Bettie Butcher, Glendon Street, 1:00pm (there’ll even be bacon rosettes for the winners!)
- Sunpork Smoke-Off BBQ Competition, Glendon Street, starts at 5:00pm – a round of the National Barbecue Championship Series co-ordinated by the Australasian BBQ Alliance
- The Porkers featuring Cherry Divine, Kingaroy Town Hall, 7:30pm to 11:00pm, $34.70 per ticket
Sunday, August 26:
- The Long Table Breakfast, Glendon Street, 7:30am to 9:30am – sold out
- BaconFest Food Market – Food market, live music, cooking demonstrations in Glendon Street, Kingaroy, 10:00am to 3:00pm (gold coin donation)
- Kevin Bacon Film Festival at Kingaroy’s Satellite Cinema, Short Street (various times)
- Sunpork Smoke-Off winners announced at 4:00pm, Commercial Hotel, Glendon Street
* * *
- Download the official program of events (386kb PDF)
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Other Pig-Themed Events
As well as the official BaconFest events, there’s a few other places putting some pork on their forks.
Friday, August 24:
- Ham It Up Banquet – Kingaroy
The Kingaroy Country Motel at 38 Knight Street in Kingaroy will be holding a Ham It Up Banquet from 6:30pm until late tonight. For $58 per head, guests can get to enjoy a four-course bacon themed banquet along with live entertainment from Natalie Fenton. There’ll also be prizes for the best dressed “Miss Piggy” and “Mr Porky Pig”, and local hand-crafted souvenirs will be available, too. Bookings are essential: Phone (07) 4162-1966.
Saturday, August 25:
- Hog Fest – Maidenwell
The Maidenwell Hotel will be holding its inaugural Hog Fest from 2:00pm to 10:00pm this afternoon and evening as a fundraiser for the Queensland Cancer Council. The get-together is hosted by the Road Tramps Motorcycle Club and will feature free camping, a pig-on-a-spit dinner and live music from popular country rock entertainer Arthur Nettelfield. There’ll also be a best tattoo competition, a helmet toss and other uplifting activities. More details from the hotel on (07) 4164-6133.
- Kingaroy Showgrounds is offering a Buffet Breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday: Adults $18; children aged 10 to 17, $10; under 10 free. Annie’s Coffee Van will be on site all weekend. There will be festivities on Saturday night, jumping castles for the kids and the bar will also be open.
Sunday, August 26:
- Perfect Porky Breakfast – Kingaroy
The Kingaroy Country Motel at 38 Knight Street in Kingaroy will be holding a Perfect Porky Breakfast from 8:00am to 10:00am this morning. For $33 per head guests can get to enjoy a mouth-watering breakfast of maple cinnamon bacon; croissants with bacon jam; bacon, spinach, tomato frittata; bacon, avocado, tomato baguette; bacon rrench toast; bacon, tater egg cups; a seasonal fruit platter and tea, coffee or juice. Bookings are essential: Phone (07) 4162-1966.
- Big Bacon Brekkie – Nanango
Historic Ringsfield House at 41-45 Alfred Street, Nanango, will be offering a unique bacon breakfast cooked on the barbecue from 8:00am to 11:00am plus live music from popular local performer Alice Benfer. A big breakfast will be available for $35, a normal breakfast for $25 and little piglets can get one of their own for $15. All brekkies include a beverage and are unique, but a booking is essential to help plan the catering. You can make one by phoning Nathan on 0455-155-404. Guests are also welcome to BYO chair if they’d like to relax under the shade sails and listen to Alice perform.
- Kingaroy Showgrounds is offering a Buffet Breakfast: Adults $18; children aged 10 to 17, $10; under 10 free. Annie’s Coffee Van will be on site all weekend.
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Surely Kingaroy police must of been good sports and entered this competition?
Absolutely, they’re definitely being great sports in getting involved in helping to promote the festival!