Second annual Bacon Party heats up at Riverfront Park South

Published 9:50 am Monday, July 15, 2019

By Beau Brockett Jr.

NILES — Niles resident Bruce Rieth said he was “sweating bacon” over his bacon-wrapped sandwiches on a Riverfront Park South pavilion grill, but he is happy with how they turned out. They are his favorite bacon-themed food to make.

“The bacon weave is something I’m proud of,” he said, referring to the interlaced bacon slices that cover one of his two sandwiches.

Rieth competed against other cooks and bakers, who together made 36 dishes for about 60 people, at his second annual public Bacon Party from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

While the winner each year has received a trophy with a faux gold pig on top of it, the joy is really in trying the variety of bacon-inspired dishes, he said.

“There’s things I saw here today — like bacon pierogis, for instance — I would have not thought about,” he said. “I like bacon, I like to incorporate it at this thing, but when people bring stuff, [some] never cross my mind.”

Among the bacon and cream cheese-stuffed meatballs, bacon peanut brittle, bacon-wrapped pineapple and other foods, Buzz Daily won with his dish, apple cider-braised, home-curled bacon street tacos.

First-time attendee Kerry Murray knew of the talent she and her dish, bacon-spiced sour cream cupcakes, were up against. Her husband’s dish was the winner.

“There’s a lot of really killer bacon dishes,” she said. “The competition is really tight.”

Aside from a food competition, there were other events. Rieth brought two pig piñatas stuffed with bacon-flavored saltwater taffy. He also hosted a bacon walk, a spin-off of a cake walk, and “Pin the Bacon on Bruce.”

Trophies were handed out for the latter two events. Novelty bacon-flavored items, like pop and gum, and Pepto-Bismol were also given.

Rieth estimated that at least 110 pounds of bacon was used at the event.

The idea for a meat-intensive public party has its roots in a party theme from one of Rieth’s previous birthdays. Last year, he decided to open the event up to the public and hopes to continue to see it grow.

“It was a good time, and no defibrillator was needed,” Rieth said.

Next year, he wants the party to be sponsored by Hormel Foods, he said jokingly.

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