Hundreds flock to Monterey Baconfest

It is bacon overload this weekend at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, and plenty of meat lovers are coming out to get in on the action.

This is the fourth year of the Monterey Baconfest.

Fanatics can choose to eat over 45 different bacon-infused dishes, including bacon ice cream, chocolate-dipped bacon and even bacon churros.

The festival is actually an outgrowth of the Americana Festival of past years. Baconfest got started after one of the organizers saw lots of fast food ads featuring the beloved slices.

Not everyone who came was a fan though. A few animal right protesters tried to persuade the crowds to turn back. KION got both sides on Saturday.

“They shouldn’t be showing graphic signs with blood to little kids in strollers and yelling at everybody walking by,” said Connie Elmer, a Santa Cruz resident who attended the Baconfest. “That’s what I have to say about this, it’s completely wrong the way they’re going about it. But they do have a right to their opinion.”

“People have been duped into believing that this is food. This is not food. This is violence, this is poison,” said Theresa Buccola, an animal rights activist who stood with a megaphone outside the Baconfest as people were lining up to buy tickets. “And we want them to know that. We want them to make educated choices, we want them to make educated choices for their children.”

About 5,000 people are expected to show up to the Baconfest this year. The event goes on from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.