Tips for 2019 Baconfest Ticket Holders

Bacon Nation!  Baconfest is upon us.  If you bought a ticket, you should be getting this info via email, but if by chance you didn’t, here it is.

If you read nothing else before attending Baconfest this weekend, please read this:

There is a NEW security policy at the UIC Forum, radically limiting the size and type of bags that guests will be allowed to bring into the event.  PLEASE LEAVE BAGS AT HOME! More below. 

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To those of you who are attending Baconfest Chicago, here is a little info we thought you should have to maximize your gastronomical pleasure.

LOCATION: 
UIC DORIN FORUM, 725 West Roosevelt Road 
For directions, see: DIRECTIONS

AND TO BE 100% CLEAR, Baconfest Chicago 2019 is happening at the UIC Forum (not the UIC Pavillion).

SECURITY POLICY 
The UIC Forum implemented new security policies in 2018 putting in place metal detectors and restricting what bags are permitted in the venue. 

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

  • The best option is to leave all bags at home if you can.
  • If you must have a bag at Baconfest, the best bag to bring is a small bag made of transparent material (no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”).
  • If you don’t have a small transparent bag, small non-transparent bags and purses will be allowed after being searched (no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”). This search may delay your entry into Baconfest.
  • Larger bags WILL NOT be allowed in the venue and should be left at home.
Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection.
All guests must pass through metal detectors to enter the UIC Forum for Baconfest.

Full FAQ, including details on the Security Policy

TICKETS? 
ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE? At the moment, yes.  Advance tickets can be purchased at our website.

WILL THERE BE TICKETS AT THE DOOR? Unless they sell out, we will be selling tickets at the door. Credit card purchases only.

Tips:

WHEN TO ARRIVE 

Friday Dinner 4/5

Check-in desks open at 5pm. You can feel free to arrive and check-in anytime from 5pm on. After we scan your ticket, we will give you your Baconfest bag, drink tickets (if applicable) and wristband, and you can line up until we open the doors to the Fest.

  • VIP Ticket holders – after you check in, you may wait in the lobby area. We’ll open doors to VIP at 6:00pm.
  • General Admission ticket holders – after you check in, you may wait upstairs. We’ll open doors for GA ticket holders at 7:00pm.

Last call for alcohol is at 9:30pm. The event ends at 10:00pm.

Saturday Lunch 4/6

Check-in desks open at 10am. You can feel free to arrive and check-in anytime from 10am on. After we scan your ticket, we will give you your Baconfest bag, drink tickets (if applicable) and wristband, and you can line up until we open the doors to the Fest.

  • VIP Ticket holders – after you check in, you may wait in the lobby area. We’ll open doors to VIP at 11:00am.
  • General Admission ticket holders – after you check in, you may wait upstairs. We’ll open doors for GA ticket holders at 12:00 noon.

Last call for alcohol is at 2:30pm. The event ends at 3:00pm.

Saturday Dinner 4/6

Check-in desks open at 5pm. You can feel free to arrive and check-in anytime from 5pm on. After we scan your ticket, we will give you your Baconfest bag, drink tickets (if applicable) and wristband, and you can line up until we open the doors to the Fest.

  • VIP Ticket holders – after you check in, you may wait in the lobby area. We’ll open doors to VIP at 6:00pm.
  • General Admission ticket holders – after you check in, you may wait upstairs. We’ll open doors for GA ticket holders at 7:00pm.

Last call for alcohol is at 9:30pm. The event ends at 10:00pm.


BRING YOUR TICKETS 
We can scan printed tickets. We can scan tickets on your phone. We can scan PDFs in your phone’s email program. But if you don’t bring something with a barcode, we can’t scan it. If you didn’t receive your tickets, please look in your spam folder for an email from universe.com. If you still can’t locate them, please email seth@baconfestchicago.com.

BRING YOUR GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO ID 
We need to see your ID to check your age if you intend to drink alcoholic beverages at the event. If you cannot demonstrate that you are of legal age, you will not drink.

WEAR COMFY CLOTHES 
Dress is casual. Wear COMFY SHOES – it’s a milling around eating and moving kind of event. It is NOT a sit-down dining situation. Wear whatever you’ll be comfortable standing and moving in for your time with us.

COATS!
Brrr!  It’s cold. We will have coat racks in the waiting room where you can leave coats at your own risk.  We will not have a secured coat check or bag check.

 

BRING CANNED FOOD 
for the Greater Chicago Food Depository Food Drive. Those who donate food will be rewarded with free raffle tickets. The more non-perishable food you bring, the more raffle tickets you’ll receive. If you don’t bring food, you can also buy raffle tickets for cash or credit card. And the raffle prizes are INCREDIBLE! 

More info here: Raffle Prizes
WEAR BACON COSTUMES (If you want a Golden Rasher)
We are bringing back the Bacon Costume Contest for 2019, so if you like doing Bacon Cosplay, put on your most bacony costume.

Other Recommendations

PARKING: Ample parking is located in a pay lot two blocks west of the UIC Forum at 1135 S. Morgan St. Lot 5. ($10) MAP

PUBLIC TRANSIT: Options are plentiful. The Blue Line stop (one mile away) is UIC HALSTED and the #8 Halsted Bus stops right at the corner of Halsted and Roosevelt.
See you this weekend.

Love, 
Andre, Michael and Seth 
www.baconfestchicago.com 
facebook.com/baconfest 
twitter.com/baconfestchi