When two of Iowa’s best flavors—pork and wine—come together, it’s a Midwest party and central Iowans will have two great opportunities this weekend to enjoy both.
The Iowa Pork Producers Association is presenting the Iowa Swine Festival on Saturday, June 4, and the Iowa Lawn Party on June 5.
The 9th annual Swine Festival is being held rain or shine outside the Iowa Culinary Institute at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. The festival will feature some of central Iowa’s best chefs and Iowa wineries. Fifteen chefs will each prepare samples of gourmet pork offerings while 13 different wineries will sample and sell their best vinos.
An IPPA representative will be on hand to educate consumers about pork and pig farming, hand out information and give away pork recipes. IPPA also will be offering chocolate-covered bacon samples.
Tickets to the event are $40 and can purchased online. Admission includes pork and wine samples, a complimentary bottle of wine of your choice from any of the participating wineries or Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits, a commemorative wine glass and live music.
The Iowa Pork Producers Lawn Party will be held at the Jasper Winery at 2400 George Flagg Parkway in Des Moines on Sunday, June 5.
Local food vendors – along with wineries and breweries from across the state – will share samples of their products. Several metro-area food trucks also will be on hand and a local band will provide live music.
Iowa pig farmers will serve samples of the winner of IPPA’s “Ooey, Gooey, Saucy & Savory Pork Challenge.” Chef Jammie Monaghan with Bubba won the challenge with buttermilk biscuit sliders filled with pecan-smoked pork leg, fried onions and rhubarb jam. The contest took place on May 2 at the Meredith Test Kitchen in Des Moines.
Tickets are available here for $15. Admission at the gate is $20.
All attendees at both IPPA events must be 21 years or older.
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