Lake Geneva’s next Bacon Fest promises to be the biggest local celebration yet of one of America’s favorite foods.
The event returns for its fourth year with expanded hours and a live music roster that collects some of the area’s most well-known tribute acts.
And there will be bacon. Lots of it.
“We have dozens of vendors serving bacon many different ways,” said event organizer David Sherman. “Chocolate covered bacon, bacon dogs, bacon chili — you name it and we will have it.”
Bacon Fest is Friday-Sunday, May 31-June 2, at Flat Iron Park, 201 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva. The park is adjacent to Geneva Lake.
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Hours are 4-10 p.m. Friday, May 31 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, June 1 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, June 3.
Among the performers slated to play are Think Floyd USA, one of the nation’s top Pink Floyd tribute bands.
Delivering a full Floydian audio-visual experience to Lake Geneva as part of its 20-year anniversary tour, Think Floyd USA is expected to be a Bacon Fest highlight, as are other well-known Chicagoland acts and tributes to Elton John, Billy Joel and John Mellencamp.
“The bands we brought in this year are the best in the area,” Sherman said. “Some of these acts normally cost more than $30 to see at concert venues, but they are free with a ticket to that day’s festival.”
New this year is the Very Important Bacon Eaters ticket option — or VIBE — allows even more perks.
VIBE unlocks exclusive access to the stage area, a VIBE lounge, $20 in Bacon Bucks to be used for food and drinks at the event, an exclusive T-shirt and special VIBE express beer lines.
As in the past, a significant amount of the proceeds from Bacon Fest will benefit the Walworth County Food and Diaper Bank.
“They do so much to make sure that everyone has access to sufficient, nutritious food and we are so happy to help them with that mission,” Sherman said.
The music
Headlining June 1 is Mellencamp tribute act Mellencougar. The act is extremely popular in the area, according to Sherman. Lead singer Don Wilson a former radio personality on Kenosha’s WIIL Rock station.
In 2023, Wilson moved to Kentucky, “so it’s rare to have the opportunity to seem them locally these days,” said Sherman.
Simply Elton and Simply Billy perform June 2.
“These shows are not just a regular tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel, they truly make you think you are seeing the original artist,” said Sherman. “The show is that good. And no one has a bigger set of hits than Billy Joel and Elton John, so it’s going to be an incredible Sunday afternoon down by the lake.”
In addition to such popular headliners, other big acts are performing at Bacon Fest.
“The Soul Chasers are a great band from nearby Chicago,” Sherman said. “Rumor Hazit sings top hits of the 80s, and BB and the Honey will kick off Saturday afternoon with everyone’s favorite yacht rock hits.”
Tickets to the Fourth Annual Lake Geneva Bacon Fest are $25 for a three-day pass, $10 for a day pass and $49 for the VIBE ticket presale, plus fees. Ages 12 and younger have free admission throughout the event.
To purchase tickets and for updates on Bacon Fest, go to BaconFestWI.com.
The event is organized by the city of Lake Geneva, the Lake Geneva Regional News and media group Amplified Wisconsin.
