The inaugural Baconalooza bacon-themed music and food festival will likely be met by animal sympathizers protesting an event “drenched in excess indulgence” Saturday at Velox Rugby Club.
The event has steadily been selling tickets, well into the hundreds, and the concept has been well received by most, said organizer and chef Morgan Onda.
However, a Facebook-organized protest group invites Mainlanders to make the trek to Saanich and join local opponents at the gates of the club.
Onda even welcomed the protesters to visit and state their case, but wonders where 60-odd numbers who’ve committed on Facebook will commiserate.
Baconalooza has rented all of Velox for day, including the University of Victoria-owned property’s parking lot.
“I didn’t say eat bacon everyday, if anything I’m saying enjoy it moderately and build up an appetite for Saturday,” Onda said.
Seven local vendors will boast bacon-themed items: Ali Baba Pizza, Trigo Foods, Oh Sugar!, Red Barn, Cook’s Café, Koto Sushi, Esquimalt Lions, Baconalooza and Vancouver Island Brewery, whose lineup will include a bacon beer.
A live stage will boast Victoria favourites such as Clover Point Drifters, Elmore’s Bar & Grill (soul and more), Cynthia Davis, a 24-year-reunion of Onga’s own Sidewalk Blues Band and, Dave Lang and the Insolent Rabble.
The all-ages event also features a bacon eating contest and prizes.
Tickets are still available at Lyle’s Place and Red Barn Markets, and online through baconalooza.com for $30. They’ll be available for $35 at the gate.
The event runs from 1 to 7 p.m. at Velox Rugby Club, 3957 Gordon Head Rd.
reporter@saanichnews.com