Scene in Easton: Bacon Fest II

By Christina Georgiou

Kostas Karaminas, of Angelo's on North Fourth Street, cooks up some bacon
during Bacon Fest II, held Saturday on Easton 's Centre Square.
Click on any photo for a full size view

Kim Rothenbeck took first prize at the
the hog calling contest during Bacon Fest II
in Easton on Saturday.

Thousands of bacon lovers flocked to Easton and hammed up the porcine goodness Bacon Fest II had to offer Saturday on Centre Square--and there was quite a lot of it!

From bacon everything--including jams, chocolate-covered bacon, bacon ice cream, and a plethora of savory bacon culinary creations--to pig and weiner dog races, a hog-calling contest, and even "Art du Cochon", the day was packed with fun and food for all.

A sweet potato bacon cupcake with cranberry sauce filling and
goat cheese, mascarpone and cream cheese frosting by Ashley Barlow took first prize at the "Hog Heaven Cupcake Competition", while the honorable mention went to Jessica Delong for her cupcake featuring a bacon pecan crumble and brown sugar maple frosting.

Delong also took a prize at the competition for the presentation of her cupcake creation, and 13-year-old Gracie Barone, whose entry was a banana, peanut butter and bacon cupcake, got an honorable mention for her Elvis-themed presentation at the event.

Kim Rothenbeck, appropriately dressed in hot pink porcine accessories, won the hog calling contest for her energetic, amusing interpretation of attracting swine to come home, in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Others made pigs of themselves, as a number of festival-goers were seen sporting snouts, piggy hats, and other animal inspired accessories celebrating the day.

Easton Farmers' Market manager Megan McBride chats with
the proprietor of Bacon on Wheels. The vendor was sold
out by mid-afternoon.

When it was all done, little bacon was left. Though most vendors had brought enough supplies to make it through the day, some others were seen packing it in or enjoying the festival themselves after the crowd had gobbled the last of their popular offerings.

Said one, "I guess we'll just have to bring even more next year."

Easton Hospital appropriately provided free cholesterol
screenings at Bacon Fest II on Saturday.

There was even pig-inspired art at Bacon Fest II.

Artist Charles Vail works on a pig painting at Bacon Fest II
held in Easton's Centre Square on Saturday.

Easton's Centre Square was temporarily renamed "Bacon Street" on Saturday.