Bacon! 1st Annual!

Red was still a-happening but I was determined to make it there & back before showstart at 1pm.

    So we arrived, parked (an impressive feat alone given that neighbourhood) & were on site at s.17th for half 11. Just enough time to walk around, check out the stalls & fathom the layout before the crowds really began to arrive.

  Preparations had been in earnest with this foolproof guide, thanks to Richmond.com. 

We had our "ones" handy, ready to go.  

  

I'd read the articles so I knew what I wanted to try already: 

Pretty darn tasty. Thanks On the Rox!

 Next up: 

Smokin' Bacon S'mores 

with Coffee Cured Bacon.

Truth be told, I was probably drawn by the wording & enticed by the cookie on top. 

I was trying to patronise those who'd at least tried to do something creative for the occasion. But the whole combination of flavour here was a bit too intense for me.
I showed my true colours by scraping away most of the mixture & eating the chocolate/biscuit instead. 

(Better that than their alt: Chargrilled Sichaun  Pepper Bacon & Watermelon Salad. Hm!)

Back to Oysters then, with Devils Backbone "Wood-Aged Kilt Flasher Scottish Ale" sampled along the way. (Don't you just love that name? ... They're local to Roseland, VA.)   

... Tasty! 

Oyster #2 came from Rapphannock (of East Grace), 

the same ones who'd had the tailback queue at Broad Appetit the week before. So somewhat popular!

#2: Grilled Rapphannock Oysters with Bacon Jam*

* Benton's Bacon;

  Medjool dates;

  English peas;

  Caramelised onions.

                                         - Quite the combination.

Enjoyable but my preference remained with the first. 

Doug ("Bacon's not food, Bacon's LIFE") also checked out the Gelato. (Not that special, basically being just gelato + bacon chunks.) 

 

I got on with appreciating the craftier stalls,
  enjoying the themed soap endeavour:

 

as well as a typically-Richmond festival-friendly, dog-friendly offering!

By then time was getting on, plus S.17th was becoming increasingly busier & increasingly hot. Katie & I headed to Red. Reading a review which followed, I think we 4 actually caught the best part of the day. Other theatre friends went & having queued thrice (ID check; beer tickets; beer bought), never so much as made it close to the food stalls. 

Be interesting to see what changes for next year's 2nd Annual.