Cape Coral has a lot of traditions.
Some involve boats.
Some involve owls.
Some involve traffic.
And some involve hundreds of adults wandering through South Cape dressed like bacon while sampling drinks and appetizers at 13 different locations.
The South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association’s BaconFest Pub Crawl returns Saturday, Aug. 22, for its 12th year, running from 7 to 11 p.m. in the South Cape entertainment district.
Yes.
Twelve years.
At this point, BaconFest is not an event.
It is an institution.
Four Hours. Thirteen Stops. Bacon Everywhere.
This year’s crawl includes 13 participating locations, each offering a bacon-themed appetizer and drink sample. Attendees also get to vote for their favorite food and drink creations, because apparently bacon needed a competitive judging component too.
The participating locations include:
- Rack’em Spirits & Times
- Hooked Island Grill
- Seed and Bean Market
- Ralph’s Place
- Nevermind
- Rusty’s Raw Bar & Grill
- Dixie Roadhouse
- Sage on 47th
- The Dive
- Monkey Bar
- Cruiser’s
- Dek Bar
- Dolphin Key Tiki
That is a lot of bacon-related decision-making for one evening.
There will be sweet bacon.
Savory bacon.
Possibly bacon in forms that should never have been approved by a responsible adult.
And somewhere around stop nine, somebody will almost certainly say:
“You know what this drink really needs? More bacon.”
Limo Buses Are Involved, Which Is Probably Wise
SCHEA is using limo buses to transport participants between four strategic areas, allowing people to walk between nearby establishments once they are dropped off.
This is one of those logistical decisions that makes complete sense.
Because when your event description includes the words:
pub crawl
13 locations
and
four hours
the phrase “everyone drives themselves” should probably not appear anywhere in the planning document.
The Cost of Bacon-Based Happiness
Advance tickets are $25 plus fees, while day-of tickets are $30 if available. Designated-driver tickets are $20.
A regular ticket includes:
- a drink sample at each stop;
- an appetizer sample at each stop;
- access to the limo buses;
- a location passport;
- eligibility for prizes; and
- access to the official photo booth.
Designated drivers receive food samples and non-alcoholic drink samples.
Which means SCHEA has apparently found one of the few circumstances where saying:
“I’m only here for the bacon.”
is an entirely responsible life choice.
There Is Also a Passport
Participants can have their passport stamped at each location and enter to win a grand prize. The official photo booth at Dolphin Key Resort also offers a chance to win four tickets to the Spooktacular Pub Crawl on Oct. 24.
So technically, BaconFest can lead directly to another pub crawl.
This is how ecosystems work.
Costumes Are Encouraged
Organizers are encouraging attendees to show up wearing their finest bacon- or pig-themed clothing.
Bacon shirts.
Bacon hats.
Pig noses.
Bacon suits.
Whatever your closet has apparently been waiting its entire life for.
SCHEA says one of the fun parts of the event is seeing people fully embrace the theme, and after 12 years, there is apparently a dedicated population of Cape Coral residents who own enough pork-related clothing to make that possible.
There is something reassuring about living in a city where someone can ask:
“Is the bacon suit too much?”
and the answer is:
“Not for this.”
Check-In Details
Regular check-in runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Big John’s Plaza and Dolphin Key Resort.
Late check-in continues until 10 p.m. at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St.
The event is 21 and older, and attendees need a valid photo ID at check-in.
The Eventbrite listing also confirms the Aug. 22 event date and 7–11 p.m. schedule.
It’s Actually Helping a Good Cause
Underneath all the bacon jokes, there is a worthwhile piece to this.
BaconFest is also a fundraiser for the Santa Life Foundation, so proceeds help support families and holiday assistance in the community.
That means you can theoretically eat bacon, ride around South Cape, wear a pig nose and still claim:
“I’m doing this for charity.”
And for once, that statement may actually be accurate.
The Serious Part
Events like this are also good for South Cape businesses.
SCHEA describes itself as a nonprofit merchants association that promotes restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment venues throughout South Cape and organizes events intended to bring residents and visitors into the district.
BaconFest gets people moving between local establishments, introduces customers to places they may not have visited before and gives businesses a chance to compete creatively with themed food and drinks.
So beneath the obvious absurdity of adults wearing bacon costumes on limo buses, there is a legitimate local-business benefit.
But fortunately, the absurdity remains.
Cape Crazy Translation
SCHEA:
“We should organize an event to support South Cape businesses.”
Someone:
“Great. What theme?”
SCHEA:
“Bacon.”
Someone:
“Okay.”
SCHEA:
“Thirteen bars.”
Someone:
“Sure.”
SCHEA:
“Limo buses.”
Someone:
“Makes sense.”
SCHEA:
“Pig costumes.”
Cape Coral:
“Now you’re speaking our language.”
IS THIS CRAZY OR NOT?
A four-hour pub crawl featuring 13 locations, bacon-themed food and drinks, limo buses and adults encouraged to dress like pigs.
Is this crazy?
Or has Cape Coral finally achieved perfection?
Tap an icon to vote.
Sources
South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association
SCHEA’s official site describes the organization as a Cape Coral nonprofit merchants association that hosts events and promotes South Cape restaurants, bars, retail and entertainment businesses.
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