KELSEYVILLE >> There was a lot more brewing at the 6th annual Beer, Wine & Swine Baconfest 2024 than a stein full of suds or goblet of claret June 16.
It was a time to greet old friends, make new acquaintances and chow down on some of the tastiest pork recipes in Northen California. Photographing the interior of a 1970 Barracuda muscle car with phone camera in front of Lady Luck Garage no fee car show, was first time Fest attendee, Corrie Cole. She is from Santa Rosa yet recently transplanted to Clearlake. “I love the Barracudas, it’s solid steel,” Cole said. “Look at the contour lines, runs all the way down the car … it’s got torque, it’s got muscle and horsepower (383) and an old school orange paint job. And this has wood grain center console. I’m looking for a car myself, a ’55 Chevy Bel Air or 60s Chevy Chevelle SS.”
Cole was enjoying the Good Ole Boys’ Bacon and cheese on a cracker. “Hats off to the Boys on that one,” said Cole. “My friends from Woodland College, Clearlake, brought me out here today. I just graduated in May with an Associates degree in Social Justice and will transfer to Chico State. But this is my first fest, but now I know it’s here, I’ll come back every year.”
Cara Rossi of Clearlake Oaks relaxed under a shade cover near the Eventbrite center canopy, sipping a watermelon-cucumber cider. Earlier she tried the bacon cannoli. “It was delicious,” she said. She also tried the bacon sushi, “That was wonderful,” she added. “I met my friends here, and can’t wait to hear a band, Breaker Breaker One 9, a new country band in town. Julia Carrera of Upper Lake was at her sixth fest and the food and friendly vibes keep her coming back she noted. “Kelseyville does a great job with fests and they’ve improved every year with food and crafts, she said. “It’s a great way to spend Father’s Day- we met here and my father went off to play golf at Cash Creek (Colusa County) but thank you Kelseyville.”
Scott Simkover, owner of Smiling Dogs Tasting Room at 3955 Main Street, had a front row seat on all the action. He also runs Smiling Dogs Ranch, 6675 Kelsey Creek Drive, which features handcrafted fine wines. Simkover liked the fest even more this year since organizers moved it into the middle of the street while storefront patrons had easier access to Main Street shops. “We do events,” he said. “Every Friday night at Smiling Dogs Tasting Room. At the Winery, from June to September we have Hump Day Howler’s (Wednesday).”
Simkover said he appreciates the fest for helping bring new business into the shop and boosts business at the same time.
Kelly Moe running the booth Kelly’s Designs was enjoying the sales with her “affordable jewelry,” including earrings, necklaces, bracelets as well as anklets in addition to some sterling silver earing and neckless sets. “I do produce some of the pieces myself,” she said. “This just seems like a fun event. It’s fun to come out and watch all the people in the community. We’re not present online, we do strictly farmer’s market at the Mercantile on Saturdays and Tuesdays.”
Terry Howell was another vendor working a booth with granddaughter Katie Defazio selling kitchen accessories during Sunday’s event. Some her more popular items include rolling pins, wine barrel top tables and she sells a lot of Lazy Susans embossed with intricate designs and hand painted. She called the BaconFest one of the better ones along with the Pear Festival. “I like meeting people at the festival, so many I’ve gotten to know I would not have chanced to meet,” she said. “We enjoy people watching and the people remember us and they come back in.”
Priscilla Brown was a first time BaconFest attendee, in town from Visalia to visit family. “I think it’s great, good weather, good vibes and friendly,” she said. Her brother, Jacob Patterson, noted they all enjoyed the bacon and beer. Added Priscilla, “The garlic fries were really good. So far, the pulled pork is my favorite. I’d order this in a restaurant. We’re definitely coming back.”
