The dueling bacon and vegan festivals near Nationals Park this weekend feel like an artisanal altercation waiting to happen.
Yes, a bacon festival. And a vegan and vegetarian food festival. On the same day. Two blocks away from each other.
The mascot fight potential is endless. I’m picturing a carrot mascot and a guy in a slice of bacon costume coming to blows only to end in a life-sized bacon-wrapped carrot. (Note to self, must try bacon wrapped carrots, as they would probably be delicious.)
D.C. VegFest is planned for Saturday, Sept. 20 at Yards Park, the picturesque Anacostia riverfront park behind the Department of Transportation. The Capitol Bacon Festival is set for the same day at the Half Street Fairgrounds outside of Nationals Park. Attendees of both events will be Metroing to the same stop.
The bacon festival will offer samples of grilled bacon tacos and hot dogs stuffed with bacon, cheddar and chili. VegFest will offer attendees roasted chickpeas and vegan cardamom date bars. The latter will include a dedicated “barking lot” for guests with dogs.
Now in its third year, VegFest is part of a series of events organized by Compassion Over Killing, whose mascot on the VegFest website, it should be noted, is an adorable piglet. The Bacon Festival is part of a series of bacon festivals around the country that certainly smacks (or is it smells?) of some kind of organized pork-lobby backer.
We’re assuming festival goers from both sides won’t be engaging in any meaty or meat-free melees, but you never know. Whatever your poison — be it kale chips or candied bacon — Capital Riverfront may be the place for you to be this weekend.
