SCHEA’s popular BaconFest Pub Crawl returns Aug. 22
A South Cape tradition sure to bring some sizzle returns next weekend for its 12th installment, highlighting a top tier breakfast food with a passionate fan base.
The South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association’s BaconFest Pub Crawl hits the South Cape Aug. 22, where attendees can get their fix of bacon-themed appetizers and drinks from 13 participating locations.
Participants will also get to vote on their favorite drink and appetizer with bragging rights at stake. Limo buses will transport attendees to four strategic locations, making it convenient to hop between nearby participating establishments on foot.
“BaconFest is definitely one of the events SCHEA looks forward to every year,” said SCHEA owner David Delli Paoli. “The fact that we’re celebrating our 12th year says a lot about how much people enjoy it. And let’s face it, people love bacon. It’s one of those foods that immediately gets people’s attention, and when you combine bacon with a pub crawl, great local establishments, costumes, friends and a night out, you’ve got a pretty winning combination.
“We have people who come back year after year, and it’s always fun to see what the participating locations come up with and what our crawlers are wearing. There’s just a great energy surrounding BaconFest.”
At the heart of SCHEA’s crawl events are the themed appetizer and drink samples each of the establishments concoct. With bacon being the theme, there are many different avenues each location can take to intertwine the staple.
“What makes BaconFest so much fun is that you’re not just going from location to location for drinks,” Delli Paoli said. “You get all kinds of interpretations of bacon, and that’s part of the experience. You never really know what you’re going to find at the next stop. It’s basically four hours of bacon, drinks, friends and fun. What’s not to love?”
Participating locations include: Rack’em Spirits & Times, Hooked Island Grill, Seed and Bean Market, Ralph’s Place, Nevermind, Rusty’s Raw Bar & Grill, Dixie Roadhouse, Sage on 47th, The Dive, Monkey Bar, Cruiser’s, Dek Bar and Dolphin Key Tiki.
“We give them the theme, but then they get an opportunity to have fun with it and put their own personality into what they create,” Delli Paoli added. “Bacon is surprisingly versatile, so you can get everything from sweet to savory and sometimes combinations you would never have thought of yourself. There’s also a little bit of friendly competition involved. Nobody wants to be the stop where people say, ‘That was okay.’ They want people talking about what they served and telling their friends, ‘You have to try this one.'”
Tickets for Bacon Fest are $25 in advance on Eventbrite (plus fees; $30 day-of) and include a drink and appetizer sample at each location, wristband to board limo buses, a passport of locations, eligibility to win prizes and access to the official photo booth located at Dolphin Key Resort under the front awning. Designated Driver tickets are $20 and include sample appetizer and non-alcoholic drink at each location.
Those who turn out can stamp their passport at each location to be entered to win the grand prize. Visit the official photo booth to have your picture taken and be entered to win four tickets to the Spooktacular Pub Crawl on Oct. 24.
“We absolutely encourage everyone to break out their best bacon-inspired gear and costumes,” Delli Paoli said. “Bacon shirts, bacon hats, pig noses, bacon suits, if you can dream it up, wear it. You certainly don’t have to dress up to participate, but it’s a lot more fun when you do. Part of what makes these crawls special is that people really embrace the theme. When you’ve got hundreds of people moving around town dressed in ridiculous bacon outfits, it’s pretty hard not to have a good time.”
Guests can check in from 6-7:30 p.m. at Big John’s Plaza and Dolphin Key Resort. Late check-in runs until 10 p.m. under the front entry awning of the Dolphin Key Resort (1502 Miramar St.). The event is 21-plus and photo I.D. must be presented at check-in.
Delli Paoli said if someone has never experienced a SCHEA pub crawl and has wanted to, this is a great event to explore, and also gives attendees an opportunity to find new spots to venture in the South Cape.
“SCHEA pub crawls are really about bringing people together,” he said. “You get to visit local businesses, try things you might not normally order, meet new people, laugh at some outrageous costumes and experience Cape Coral in a completely different way.
“If you’ve never attended one of our crawls before, BaconFest is a perfect one to start with. It’s easygoing, it’s fun and you can make the night whatever you want it to be. You can hit all 13 stops or just enjoy the evening at your own pace.”
BaconFest is also a fundraiser for the Santa Life Foundation, so the fun had that night ultimately helps create Christmas magic and support families in the community.
For additional information and tickets, please visit SouthCapeEntertainment.com or Eventbrite.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com