It’s that time of the year again with Kingaroy BaconFest right around the corner.
The South Burnett town of Kingaroy is excited to host the famed annual bacon festival.
However, BaconFest 2025 is set to be different to previous years, with a change of schedule and location.
Memorial Park in Kingaroy is set to host this year’s BaconFest, across 15 and 16 August.
On Friday, 15 August, locals and visitors alike can expect to see food trucks and market stalls galore with the Bacon Street Feast and home grown artists providing live music from late afternoon well into the night, with entry from $10. Bringing a picnic chair or rug is encouraged.
A Farm to Gate bus tour on the Friday will be available for those looking to experience the agricultural atmosphere of the region. There are limited numbers, so booking ahead will be essential to secure your bus seat.
Saturday, 16 August, will see a new schedule from previous years.
The Big Bacon Breakfast will kick the day off from 7am to 9am with a $10 entry fee, with local artists performing and dance demonstrations scheduled.
The crowd favourite of bacon eating competitions will still hold centre stage, and the Smoke Off Awards will let the crowd know who can cook the best bacon dish, but many fan favourites such as the Beards of BaconFest will be taking a break this year.
There will still be plenty to see and do with a cooking demonstration tent with celebrity chef Alistair McLeod, and My Kitchen Rules Winner 2024, Simone Prest.
Chief Baconeer Rob Fitz-Herbert, or Fitzy as he’s known, is excited about the Youth Activity Area which will, for the first time in BaconFest history, see jumping castles.
Face painting, bacon ice-cream and numerous games and activities will also be present.
Roving entertainment will be present to keep the crowds entertained throughout the day.
The headline entertainment for BaconFest 2025 is none other than Troy Cassar-Daley, taking to the stage from 6.30pm.
Troy Cassar-Daley was crowned as the highest golden guitar winner at the Tamworth Country Music Festival 2024, and Number One ARIA Country Music Album of the Year.
Chief Baconeer Fitzy feels extremely privileged to have secured Troy Cassar-Daley for BaconFest 2025, with Mr Cassar-Daley’s team hand picking the support act to be volunteer co-ordinator Amber Goldsmith, who was chuffed at the opportunity.
Overall planning has been going well, with the committee stoked that SunPork is supporting the move to Memorial Park and the change to the schedule timeline, and pleased to have entertainment partner Westlink Petroleum on board as well.
The move to Memorial Park will allow everything to be centralised and easy to access.
“This year’s committee, we’re very conscious of engaging with the local community to make sure there are affordable options for our community,” Chief Baconeer Fitzy said, understanding the financial challenges within the community, and took that into account with pricing.
The shuttle bus will make a return this year, making trips around town.
Kingaroy Showgrounds has come on board to offer parking as well.
The general consensus in feedback was to HAVE MORE BACON, and many stalls will be coming onboard to provide niche bacon meals following the conclusion of the Big Bacon Breakfast.
The Chief Baconeer gave a shout out to South Burnett Regional Council and their Parks and Gardens Managers for supporting the move to Memorial Park and getting the grounds ready for the festival.
“Come and support your local festivals by your attendance, it assures the continuance of viable in the future,” Chief Baconeer Fitzy said. “Come and celebrate bacon with us.”
Chief Baconeer Fitzy would like to implore everyone who is thinking of attending BaconFest 2025 to purchase tickets ahead of time, as there is a limited amount this year, and he doesn’t want people to arrive at the festival only to be turned away due to tickets being sold out.
Tickets can be purchased at OzTik: tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/5f7cbf5e-33cc-4012-b7e8-5fb4dd3ee12b
