CURED: Bacon Festival

The inaugural CURED: Central Virginia Bacon Festival takes place May 30 from 1–5 p.m. at the Telos Wireless Pavilion in Charlottesville, Va.

Charlottesville’s finest restaurants will offer two or three bacon-themed dishes. Each restaurant’s dish will showcase bacon from The Rock Barn, Virginia’s top pork purveyor. Featured restaurants include BBQ Exchange, Blue Moon Diner, Boylan Heights, Brookville, Citizen Burger Bar, Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie, Fossett’s, Ivy Provisions, Maya, Rapture, the Ivy Inn and more. Star Hill Brewery provides a variety of locally brewed beers for the event, along with pairing recommendations for specific dishes.

Following the tastings, festivalgoers vote for their favorite restaurant in the Cured Cup. Ballots are included with admission. Purchase an additional ballot for $1 each. All proceeds from the Cured Cup benefit Local Food Hub. This non-profit organization partners with Virginia farmers to increase community access to local food.

General admission tickets are $30, or $35 if purchased after May 15. Admission includes four tasting tickets and a voting ballot. Additional tasting tickets are available for purchase on site. VIP tickets cost $60 for those 21 and older. Admission includes early entry at noon, exclusive access to the VIP area with demonstrations, private VIP restrooms, six tasting tickets, two beer or wine tickets and two voting ballots. One lucky VIP will receive a 12-month bacon of the month membership from The Rock Barn (a $250 value).