I've been to Baconfest twice: in 2016 and 2019. I believe in 2016, it was just one entry time, and yes, it was very chaotic. I hadn't been back since, mainly because $70 for two was pretty damn pricey for what we got and it was overly crowded. But as new Wisconsinites, my wife and I wanted to enjoy as many things as we could that first year we moved here.
Fast forward to 3 years later, they have definitely improved the flow of traffic and how many people they allow into each "session". I was able to score free tickets, so why not go? They now have 2 different entry times, 12-2pm & 2-4pm, with color specific wristbands to indicate your entry time, so the ones in the earlier session must move on out when their time is done.
From our first experience to this one, it was much more organized, and to cut time off my wait to get a wristband, I picked mine up a week before the event directly from the radio station where the hog broadcasts from. No line. Easy peezy! So on the much anticipated day of bacon, we walked right into it with no wait at all.
There are multiple entry points into Baconfest, so don't let the first entry point deter you. It's always long because I think people think that is the only entrance. Keep walking down and there are at least 2 more.
Inside, there are so many food vendors and distilleries/breweries with a crazy variety of samples. And you can eat to your hearts content. I took a lot of spirit samples from Great Lakes Distillery and they were amazing about it! It's not like Costco sampling where they can only fit 12 sample cups on their tray and then they are gone. These food vendors are able to keep up and pump out those samples to accommodate the amount of people that attend. You can make a second and third round if you want (and have the time and stomach space)...we made 2 rounds and then had to call it. So. Much. Food! They now have the option to rent different sized trays so that you can walk around and fill up your tray with whatever you want and eat it all at once. We didn't rent trays because it forced us to take our time and really enjoy the food without being overwhelmed with choices all at once.
The crowds surrounding individual vendors was not bad at all. The longest I waited for anything was the bloody mary line and Rodizio's and that's because they prepare the food and drinks for you as you order. They are not premade like all the other samples. It was about a 5 minute wait, tops. Everything else, I could walk up and grab a sample with ease.
Other perks: Free $15 game play with your players card at Potawatomi, coupons and discounts from vendors for their restaurants (buy one, get one free from Rodizio's), and you just might run into people you know.
I thoroughly enjoyed it the second time around and will more than likely attend again. Once every other year or so is good for me, so in 2021, we'll be back! read more