AMES, Iowa – How do you define pure happiness? At Iowa State Univ. in Ames, it’s bacon, and that’s the theme for the university’s 2016 Bacon Expo slated for Oct. 8.

“For the 2016 Bacon Expo, the executive team has chosen to select the theme ’Ba-Con (noun),’” said Tayler Etzel, general co-chair. “With this, we have placed the definition of “pure happiness” because that is what bacon is, in its simplest essence. Pure happiness.”

In 2015, the event attracted 1,200 visitors eager to sample bacon-centric treats like bacon gelato, maple bacon cupcakes and traditional fried bacon strips.

The event also is an opportunity for the university to support Food at First in Ames, which assists individuals in need through a free meal program and a food pantry. All left over bacon will be donated to Food at First.

Bacon Expo will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center on the Iowa State campus. Tickets are on sale at baconexpo.ag.iastate.edu.