More than 350 people headed to the Laurel Packing House Friday night to enjoy all things BC Craft Cider and pork related.

The inaugural sold-out BC Bacon & Cider Festival kicked off BC Cider week, which runs April 29 to May 7, 2017.

含羞草研究社淲e felt there were lots of wine festivals, lots of beer festivals, but there weren含羞草研究社檛 really any things to celebrate the craft cider industry in British Columbia, so that is why we created the event,含羞草研究社� explained event co-organizer Mark Ziebarth.

含羞草研究社淲e decided to add bacon to it because, why not, who doesn含羞草研究社檛 like bacon. We have 20 different vendors pouring 57 different varieties of mostly ciders, some wine, some beers, some spirits, but mostly British Columbia craft cider.含羞草研究社�

The event was the brain child of Ziebarth含羞草研究社檚 former business student, Michelle Johnson, who partnered with him to organize the event.

含羞草研究社淚 saw a gap in the industry and I just thought 含羞草研究社榳ow no one is doing a craft cider festival含羞草研究社� and craft cider is blowing up right now,含羞草研究社� said Johnson.

含羞草研究社淚t is really exciting. We sold out in 30 days, which was not expected for a first-year event, but it looks like everybody is having a great time.含羞草研究社�

The bacon-inspired food at the event was all complimentary, courtesy of the Okanagan College Culinary Arts team.

含羞草研究社淚 love the idea of getting students out to do live events,含羞草研究社� added Johnson. 含羞草研究社淚 use to do that as a college student too, so seeing them work at a live event is really awesome and I am glad we get to give them that experience.含羞草研究社�

The event chose the OC Culinary Student Bursary Fund as its charitable partner and Johnson hopes funds raised at the cider fest will send a student to Europe to hone his or her craft.

With the success of the inaugural event, both organizers say they plan to be back next year.

含羞草研究社淚f you want to join us next year we will almost certainly be back,含羞草研究社� said Ziebarth.

含羞草研究社淓nd of April, Laurel Packing House, possibly for two days - get your tickets early.含羞草研究社�

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