Des Moines: Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival and Beyond

Feb 11, 12 at 3:59am

Adam Wieczner

The month of love is sizzling hot with big names and bacon! That’s right, Des Moines will be hosting its 5th annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival. This festival is extra crispy with a rich history that was started by a group of Iowans in Crystal Lake. With a true passion for bacon, these Iowans have developed an event that teaches and entertains all who are interested in everything bacon. There are classes, lectures, tastings, a song writing competition, and even a jelly-bellied pig mascot named Blue.

If you keep kosher and can't enjoy the greasy taste of bacon then there are plenty of other tasty acts you can bite into this month. 2012 will be the 55th year since Jerome Robbin's production of West Side Story was first performed. This classic love story is a great way to set the mood leading up to Valentines Day. For a more modern musical experience download the auto-tune app on your smart phone and come watch T-Pain and the Gym Class Heroes belt out noise at the Val Air Ballroom.

Electro hip-hop duo Timeflies will make their Des Moines debut at Peoples this Saturday. These guys have been growing in popularity since the recent release of their first album along with their weekly web videos they put out for fans called Timeflies Tuesday. For something fluffy and funny then I recommended you check out veteran comedian Gabriel Iglesias as he electrifies audiences with his animated comedic style. For some old school entertainment you can't miss country legend George Strait as he invades Wells Fargo Arena. It would be pretty difficult not to enjoy at least one of his 56 number-one hit singles.

West Side Story

When: Februrary 7-12th

Location: Civic Center

What: Great American Musical

Timeflies

When: February 11th , 730pm

Location: Peoples on Court

What: Electronic Hip-hop

2012 Snowstorm Music Tour

When: February 16th , 6pm

Location: Val Air Ballroom

What: T-pain , Gym Class Heroes