Organizers of the Madison Bacon Festival, a Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival event, recently announced two sizzling contests – the Wisconsin Bacon Royalty Contest and a Bacon Eating Competition. Wisconsin’s bacon-enthusiasts can enter the contests beginning October 13. Applications will be narrowed down to a total of 20 finalists who will each receive FREE tickets to the Madison Bacon Festival taking place on November 1. During the festival, the Wisconsin Bacon King and Queen will be crowned and at 3 p.m. the amateur eaters will compete for the Wisconsin Bacon-Eating Trophy presented by Farmland.

The grand prize package for the Madison Bacon King and Queen include: a crown, sash, two VIP tickets to the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, Jan. 31 and bacon for a year valued at $300 in the form of gift certificates.

The grand prize package for the Wisconsin Bacon Eating Champion includes: a glorious trophy presented by Farmland, two VIP Tickets to the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, Jan. 31 and $500 in Farmland Bacon in the form of gift certificates.

The Madison Bacon Festival is organized and promoted in partnership between the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival and the Madison community, the uniquely quirky celebration will provide participants with Wisconsin’s largest bacon showcase, bacon lectures, bacon-inspired dishes, bacon competitions, an annual bacon queen contest, live entertainment and bacon fellowship.

The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival started as a groups’ passion for “all things bacon” and has evolved into America’s premier bacon festival. In 2001, a group of guys began celebrating bacon during an annual weekend retreat in Spirit Lake, IA. Six years later, they pursued a deeper understanding of their favorite meat by earning “All About Bacon” diplomas from Living History Farms. On March 1st, 2008, officially organized under the Bacon Board and led by Brooks Reynolds, they went on to found a festival: a multi-city festival with the mission of improving the enjoyment of all things bacon by providing education, recognition, advocacy and research on behalf of the masses, everyone, everywhere, all of them. They are serious. Seriously, dudes.