Des Moines Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival
Make all of your crispy, delicious desires come true when you attend the annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival. Attracting more than 14,000 bacon fanatics from around the country each year, this sizzling event features highlights like a world-famous bacon-eating contest, fun bacon dishes, and live entertainment. Of course, the biggest highlight of all is the Bacon Queen crowning! The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival takes place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa every spring. In 2026, this one-day bacon event happened on April 18, but keep an eye out for 2027's date announcement. It is a fun event for families and bacon enthusiasts of all ages. RV travelers love it because they can pull in, fill up, and head over to some other fun and scenic attractions in the Des Moines area.
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
Bacon is the main attraction of this festival, and the real fun is discovering how many ways you can love and appreciate this popular meat. First, spend time enjoying all of the bacon-inspired food and drink samples provided by vendors. There are also tons of bacon dishes to try from local BBQ and meat joints! For adults, pop-up bars serving bacon-themed cocktails and craft beers hit the spot. Live music, a bacon-eating contest, prize drawings, giveaways, and other fun events round out the festival.
ON-SITE AMENITIES
At the festival grounds, attendees can take advantage of public restrooms. There are also ATMs on the premises. For those camping at the fairgrounds, amenities include full hookups with sewers, bathhouses, dumping stations, and a shelter area.
LOCATION
The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival at the Iowa State Fairgrounds is centrally located just off I-80 and I-35 in Des Moines at East 30th Street and East University Avenue. The address to type into your GPS for the event is 3000 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa.
FAQs About RVing to the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival
Can you bring an RV to Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival?
Absolutely! Hundreds of full-hookup RV sites are available at the campground adjacent to the fairgrounds.
Where can you park an RV for Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival?
Just book your own RV site at the fairgrounds to enjoy your own private parking area.
Are there RV hookups at Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival?
Yes, RV sites here have full hookups with sewers.
Is Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival family-friendly?
This is one of Iowa's most family-friendly events each year. There is bacon-themed fun for all ages. Of course, adults can enjoy the bacon-themed libations when washing down crispy, delicious foods!
RVING AT THE EVENT
One of the best parts of RVing to this pork-based extravaganza is that there is an on-site campground at Iowa State Fairgrounds. If this is your first time RVing, the campground here is perfect because it's so stocked with amenities and dump stations. The 160-acre campground features 2,300 sites with water and electricity hookups and 734 sites with full hookups. RV guests also get to use amenities like bathhouses with hot showers and convenient dump stations. Plus, this site places you a scenic area with century-old trees that's conveniently placed just off of Interstates 80 and 35. As of 2026, RV sites are $32 per night with a $10 vehicle fee.
Where to Camp Near Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival
If you prefer to camp with your RV away from the festival grounds, the Des Moines area has some great options. • The Des Moines West KOA Holiday: Offering a resort-like setting, the Des Moines West KOA Holiday is just a short drive from downtown Des Moines while feeling worlds away from everything. Perks include a swimming pool, basketball court, playground, fishing pond, jumping pillow, mini golf, and gem mining. RV guests enjoy sites with patios and full hookups. • Acorn Valley Campground: Situated on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, this stunning campsite just 13 miles from Des Moines shows off river valley views. There are 29 family sites with electric hookups surrounded by primitive camping sites. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking stations, and a dump station.
RV Rental Tips for Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival
While the Iowa State Fairgrounds has abundant camping sites, it's necessary to book early because thousands of visitors pour into the area for this event. If you're bringing the family, an RV type like a Class A motorhome that's 21 to 40+ feet or a towable trailer can be ideal. Full-utility lot sizes at the fairgrounds camping park range from 20 feet x 30 feet all the way up to 20 feet x 54 feet. Do note that you'll need to have an oven or use an above-ground grill when preparing meals at your site because open fires are not permitted. Expect temperatures in April in Des Moines to be around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. While spring is a great time for RVing, the weather in this region can be chillier compared to other places where warm-weather camping season is in full swing. Be sure to bring jackets and warmer sneakers or boots to stay toasty after a day of warming your belly with bacon at the festival.
WHERE TO STAY
If you won't be RV camping, there are several hotels nearby: • Residence Inn by Marriott Des Moines Downtown: This modern hotel offers spacious suites with full kitchens, perfect for extended stays. It's located near downtown Des Moines, providing easy access to local restaurants, shops, and attractions. • Hampton Inn Des Moines Downtown: Offering comfortable rooms and complimentary breakfast, this hotel is just a short distance from the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival and other downtown Des Moines hotspots. • Holiday Inn Express Des Moines Downtown: With its convenient location near the festival and local attractions, this hotel offers a great blend of comfort and convenience, including an indoor pool and a fitness center.
HOW TO GET THERE
• From Northern Iowa: From I-35, take I-235 to Exit 10A before heading east on East University Avenue. • From Southern Iowa: From I-35, take IA 5/US 65 to Exit 79 before heading west on East University Avenue. • From Eastern Iowa: From I-80 take Exit 141 (Highway 65 Bypass), travel south on Highway 65 to Exit 79 before heading west on Highway 163 (East University Avenue). • From Western Iowa: From I-235, take Exit 10A before heading east on East University Avenue.
PARKING
Parking for the Iowa State Fairgrounds is usually $10 per car in designated North, Northeast, and University lots. However, it has historically been free for this event. You can also utilize free parking shuttles (Blue Line) provided from these lots to the event gates.
TICKETS & PRICING
General admission for the event was $60 in 2026. Your general admission ticket comes with an official festival shirt, all-you-can-eat bacon pass, seven bacon-inspired food items, one free beer, and a BRBF koozie.
WRAP UP
The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival is an essential event for bacon lovers each year. It offers the perfect mix of food, entertainment, and unique experiences for all ages. From live music to an iconic bacon-eating contest, there's a little something for everyone. Of course, the best part is always RVing overnight with a crowd of bacon enthusiasts who all know how to really party with their grills going! Check out the event's official Facebook page for updates.
3-Day RV Itinerary for The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival
• Day 1: Arrival and setting up your site. • Day 2: Attending the bacon fest before heading back to your site for a relaxing evening. • Day 3: Departing in the morning to check out local attractions like Blank Park Zoo, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Gray's Lake Park, or Salisbury House and Gardens.
Please note, this is not the official source of the event information. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible, some details may have changed since the time this article was written. Please confirm final details with the official event page.
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