Valentine’s Day is the time to express your love for those most important in your life. For thousands of Milwaukee residents attending the Fifth Annual BaconFest Milwaukee on Valentine’s Day, that love was expressed for bacon. 

Bacon Mania sign
Bacon-mania took hold of Milwaukee on Valentine's Day.

BaconFest Milwaukee, presented by Patrick Cudahy Inc. and “The Hog,” WHQG-FM (102.9), brought bacon fanatics to the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino to enjoy unique bacon creations as well as bacon classics prepared by some of the area’s best chefs and restaurants.

“Patrick Cudahy loves to celebrate traditions like Baconfest Milwaukee with our fans, because we've been a part of the community for more than 125 years,” said Bud Matthews, senior vice president of Patrick Cudahy, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods. “Baconfest is what Patrick Cudahy is all about: family, friends, fun and bacon.”

Some of the bacon-themed offerings included macaroni and cheese with bacon, bacon-flavored chocolate and beer and liquor flavored with bacon.

Businesses at the event included Who’s on Third, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats, Great Lakes Distillery, Wisconsin Cheese Mart and Milwaukee Sail Loft.

For photos from the 2016 event, go to http://baconfestmke.com/.