The Kingaroy BaconFest committee has made the difficult decision to postpone this year's 'pig' celebrations to August 2022.

The iconic celebration of bacon was due to be held in just over two weeks, from 20 to 22 August, but Chief Baconeer Kristy Board said with Brisbane in lock-down and COVID-19 numbers unpredictable it was too much of a risk.

“I'm not going to lie, there were tears when we realised it wasn't going to be possible, but this is the world in which we currently live,” Ms Board said.

“This year's celebrity chef Miguel Maestre is in lock-down in Sydney and a large number of food vendors, and performers including Pinup Pageant coordinator Betty Butcher are in lock-down in Brisbane.

“In addition, we feel that it's not the right time to be bringing large crowds of people into our community when the South Burnett has so far remained relatively COVID free.

“We know we're not alone. Events across the country have been cancelled due to COVID and our hearts go out to the Blackbutt Avocado Festival committee who also announced cancellation plans this week.”

Ms Board said thousands of volunteer hours had been spent brainstorming, planning and mapping out this year's event.

“It's impossible to estimate just how much time goes into creating a festival such as BaconFest but the good news is, all the work has been done and it's ready to roll out in August 2022.

“We're very grateful to our sponsors, particularly our major sponsor SunPork Fresh Foods for their support and understanding at this time.”

SunPork Fresh Foods Executive General Manager Rhys Collins said while the decision to postpone was disappointing, it was the right thing to do.

“We'd like to thank the BaconFest Committee for all their hard work up to this point and look forward to bigger and brighter 2022,” Mr Collins said. 

Tickets for both the Wine and Swine dinner party and the Long Table Breakfast were sold out and a large number of general admission tickets had also been sold.

Ms Board said all ticket holders would be offered the opportunity to either roll their ticket over to next year's event (19 – 21 August), apply for a refund or convert the price of the ticket into merchandise dollars that could be spent in the festival's online store.

“Our 2021 BaconMan shirts feature our handsome mascot dancing with a peanut and the slogan 'go nuts'. Given the nutty nature of the past 18 months, it's the perfect souvenir to remember the BaconFest that almost was,” she said.

“While COVID restrictions permit, our wineries and other attractions remain open for business and there is plenty of delicious local produce to sample at the new Farm to Fork Collective shop in Wooroolin.”

Kingaroy BaconFest is supported by SunPork Fresh Foods and funded by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal in partnership with the Australian Government. The event is also supported by the Queensland Government through its Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It's Live! In Queensland events calendar.

For interviews and media enquiries please phone Kristy Board on 0435 775 494 or email admin@kingaroybaconfest.com.au.