Things to Do

Bacon Bash Texas: Come for the Bacon, Stay for the Party

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Tony Maples Photography

 

“Bigger. Badder. Baconier…” That’s what the web description reads for the nation’s largest bacon cook off, and it’s right here in Cranfills Gap, Texas. Including more than 50 teams, a stellar live band lineup, and celebrity judges, it’s a one-of-a-kind event that any self-respecting bacon fan would be a fool to miss! Clear your calendars for October 21, and bring your appetite.

Bacon Bash Texas is an event hosted by a 501(c)3 organization of the same name, which distributes the proceeds from this annual function in camp and Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) scholarships to kids with Type 1 Diabetes. The first of these opportunities are for kids with Type 1 Diabetes to attend camps which are focused on instilling healthy lifestyle habits while at the same time connecting them with other kids who are also dealing with the same hurdle. The latter provides funding for Dexcom CGM Systems, allowing remote monitoring of Type 1 Diabetes patient glucose levels, automatically alerting a parent when they become dangerously high.

Bacon Bash Texas: Come for the Bacon, Stay for the Party!

Photo: Facebook/Bacon Bash Texas

Tickets for this event include all the bacon you can eat paired nicely with all the beer you can drink, as well as few other nice surprises! Samples of Texas wines, tasty pork butt, and access to their notorious Bacon Bash Bloody Mary Bar are all a part of the price. There will also be a live auction on site as well as a few other complementing fundraisers for kids that have Type 1 Diabetes as well as the philanthropic Niki Warms the Cold, which distributes blankets, coats, and warm winter wear to homeless people throughout Texas every year.

Bacon Bash Texas: Come for the Bacon, Stay for the Party!

Photo: Facebook/Bacon Bash Texas

During their 2016 efforts, Bacon Bash Texas was able to raise more than $57,000 for their supported charities! Hosting two events annually, they focus on an informal and a formal event, the first of note being the bacon cook-off described here, which this year is taking place on October 21. The formal event is called Ball of the Bash, during which a five-course wine dinner is served, with each course featuring a diverse bacon dish. In 2016, the ball raised $17,500 for their supported charities, and the 2017 event (which was held in May) was just as successful, if not more so!

Bacon Bash Texas: Come for the Bacon, Stay for the Party!

Photo: Facebook/Bacon Bash Texas

Last year, 600 pounds of bacon were served at Bacon Bash Texas, raising $40,000 to add to their running total of $180,650 for charities since 2012. They also host a coat and blanket drive during this October event to support Niki Warms the Cold, in addition to donating part of their event proceeds towards the purchase of winter gear for the homeless. For more information regarding this very worthwhile event as well as the charities and scholarships that it supports, please visit their website. You can also get event updates on their Facebook page. And remember, you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a ticket to this great bacon event, and that’s pretty much the same thing!