BaconFest: Unique South Cape event Saturday, Aug. 5
Tickets are on sale for one of the South Cape’s most unique events – and it involves bacon.
Hosted by the South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Associations, the 4th Annual South Cape BaconFest will take place on Aug. 5 from 7 to 11 p.m. in the South Cape. This year, 12 locations are participating by each serving a food and drink item, with one or both centered on the bacon theme.
“Everything can be improved with the addition of bacon,” Executive Director Donna Meola said.
“This is by far my favorite event,” she added.
Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 day of, with a total of 1,200 available.
“We get very close to selling out on this one,” Meola said.
Nearly all 1,200 tickets were spoken for last year.
“A little over 1,100 were sold,” she said.
For the food and drink samples, the venues have risen the bar.
“There’s a really cool menu of bacon-type of foods that you can eat, and there’s a couple of places doing a bacon-themed drink, as well,” Meola said.
For example, BackStreets Sports Bar is serving up Bacon Jalapeno Martinis and bacon dip, while Cruiser’s Lounge will be offering attendees Cranberry Bacon Rim Shots and vidalia bacon casserole.
Other drinks include Bacon Me Crazy and Sweet Bacon Ole Fashion, along with non-bacon choices like Gongoozler Ale, apple martini, sangria, Bahama Mama, watermelon spritzer and Bud Light.
The Dixie Roadhouse will serve up Bacon Chocolate Martinis.
“Sounds very interesting to me,” she said.
The Monkey Bar & Steakhouse will offer Bacon Marys.
“A bacon Bloody Mary,” Meola said.
As for the food, attendees can expect everything from bacon mac ‘n’ cheese, maple chipotle BBQ pork belly bacon and bacon apple bites, to bacon bruschetta, potato bacon soup, bacon pizza and more.
Rack’em Spirits & Times will serve bacon brittle.
“His appetizer sounds very interesting,” she said. “We’ve never had this before.”
Rockade will offer up tater bombs.
“I believe that is like a tater tot wrapped in cheese and bacon,” Meola said.
“People have really stepped it up,” she added.
Each attendee will receive a passport that they can get stamped at each venue. Once they have their entire passport stamped, they can turn it in at any of the participating locations or to a trolley host.
“The gift basket is bacon-themed, as well,” Meola said
Valued at about $200, the grand prize will consist of a Pork Osso Buco dinner for two, chocolate-covered bacon and a gift certificate for a dry cleaning service – for getting rid of any bacon grease.
There will also be a BaconFest Photo Contest.
“Our photo contests are really growing with every event,” she said.
For last year’s contest, people wore bacon T-shirts and even dressed up as pigs.
“I can’t wait to see what people come up with this year,” Meola said.
She explained that all of the photos will be posted on Facebook for the public to vote on. The five to earn the most votes will make up the finalists’ pool, with the winner selected by SCHEA’s board.
The contest winner will win $100 cash.
The photo booth will be located in the lobby of the Dolphin Key Resort.
Tickets can be purchased at the venues or online at: www.eventbrite.com/.
Designated Driver tickets are also available for $20 in advance only at BackStreets Sports Bar. DD ticket holders get to enjoy the appetizers at each of the venues, as well as non-alcoholic drinks.
Check-in booths will be open from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Club Square and Big John Plaza. Late check-in will available after 7:30 in the lobby of the Dolphin Key Resort or outside of the Dixie Roadhouse.
Trivia games on the trolleys will provide another opportunity to win goodies.
“I have T-shirts,” she said. “Koozies and gifts card from the participating locations.”
“All the swag stuff,” Meola added.
She encouraged people to pick up their tickets.
“I think what makes it unique is we’re one of the only places I know of that does a bacon event,” Meola said. “This is also an off-season event, so this is getting to know your other Lee County neighbors.”
There are less tourists, with more residents from Fort Myers, Naples and such attending.
“These are all of your local Southwest Florida people,” Meola said.
For more information, visit: www.southcapeentertainment.com/ or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociations/.
BackStreets Sports Bar is at 915 S.E. 47th Terrace.
The Dixie Roadhouse is at 1023 S.E. 47th Terrace.
The Dolphin Key Resort is at 502 Miramar St.