BaconTown Hits Ottumwa Saturday

BaconTown 2017

BaconTown 2017

Over 1200 pounds of Bacon Featured

Ottumwa, Iowa – When JBS purchased the pork processing facility in Ottumwa from Cargill in 2015, the future of KIIC’s BaconTown was in doubt – but after just a 1-year hiatus, BaconTown is back and bigger than ever.

KIIC created BaconTown to celebrate Ottumwa’s claim to fame as the 2nd biggest bacon processing facility in the country. “We know America’s affinity for Bacon – but couple that with the fact that so much of it is produced right here in Ottumwa and this great city has a hit on its hands” so says Joe Milledge, owner of KIIC radio and creator of the BaconTown concept. Its noteworthy that in 2015, former Governor Terry Branstad issued a proclamation designating Ottumwa as Bacontown!

“I don’t think people realize the economic impact this facility generates both in feeding the world, and adding to our local economy. This JBS facility contributes so much in its food production, to its payments to area livestock operators to its massive payroll – so we must celebrate it” Milledge added. According to JBS documents, over 1 billion pounds of product are produced in Ottumwa and shipped to 26 countries!

BaconTown features a ‘town’ theme built inside the Bridgeview Center expo hall – with more than 640 linear feet of town scenery backdrops brought in from a Broadway company in California to create a ‘town’ theme. Vendors set up in front of the storefronts to feature more than 40 bacon inspired items for the public to enjoy. There’s even JBS ‘Bacon Beer’ created by Albia Brewing Company. “They’ve been working on that since August” Milledge said.

In addition to the bacon items, C1st Credit Union sets up their Kid’s Playland area in the lobby with free games, inflatables, and prizes – all at no cost from 3-7pm. Entry to BaconTown is also free, but if you want to taste some of the concoctions, items are generally $1. Bacontown itself will be open from 3-10pm.

JBS provides the bacon for vendors to use. A few of the creations from various vendors include ‘Bacon on a Stick with Blackberry Jalapeno BBQ Sauce’, ‘Beer Bacon Cheddar Corn Bread’, ‘Prime Country Bacon Burnt Ends’, ‘Breakfast Bombs with Jack Daniels Syrup’ and over 35 more.

Milledge goes on to say that “The added benefit to BaconTown on November 11th is that JBS corporate leadership from around the globe will descend on Ottumwa this week for corporate meetings – so we plan on showing them why Ottumwa is such a great location for their facility here.”

Posted by on Nov 7 2017. Filed under Events, Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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