beer, bacon & Beyond 2026
A NEW 2-DAY EXPERIENCE!
March 13–14, 2026
Centennial Plaza, Gulfport MS
This isn't just a festival, it's a movement wrapped in bacon and served with a cold brew.
More Beer. More Bacon. more bbq - Two Full Days of Sizzling Fun.
Expect a Bacon, BBQ & food lover's dream lineup of food tastings, craft beer tastings from local and regional breweries, along with Mississippi Distilleries. Along with giving out 2 Golden Tickets, there will be People's Choice Awards, live music Friday & Saturday nights at 7 pm, talent competition/DJ, Vendors plus VIP experiences you'll talk about for months. This is the main Fundraiser for Mississippi Heroes, so your support goes a long way to the mission of supporting family, professional and community caregivers across Mississippi.
The Root Beer Kids Fest is Saturday morning along with an introduction to the Jr. Food Championship. The Bacon Bit Pig Race will commence at 11 am on Saturday at the Lazy River. There will be local vendors, and a Chili Cookoff along with the kids cooking competition. Just a fun family day of community. The proceeds from Saturday morning will go towards a 1st Responders Grant Program to help offset financial needs due to injuries on the job & other financial stressors.
Friday Night (21+)
7:00–10:00 PM (6PM VIP)
BBQ, Bourbon & Beer with STARZ Band Live on the Island View Casino Stage. There will also be an adult talent competition, and vendors. VIP will have early entry, special seating area along with special tastings. The Beer & Bacon 5k will be on Friday night.
Saturday Morning
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Root Beer Kids Fest, talent competition, Jr. Food Championship & 1st Responders Chili Cook-Off. Saturday morning will also be the Bacon Bit Pig Race in the Lazy River.
Saturday Night (21+)
7:00–10:00 PM (6PM VIP)
Beer, Bacon & Burger with GHOSTS OF GAMBLERS Live on the Island View Casino Stage. There will also be an adult talent competition, and vendors. VIP will have early entry, special seating area along with special tastings.
Get In On The Action!
Don't just taste and watch - jump into the fun! From adult and kids cooking competitions, to first responder showdowns, there's a way for everyone to compete, win prizes, and be part of the festival excitement.
GOLDEN TICKET OPPORTUNITIES
We will have Bacon, Barbecue Golden Tickets and working on a Golden Ticket for Burger. We will also have People's Choice with trophies for all who are part of this fundraiser. The Golden Ticket winners receive entry to compete in the World Food Championships - it is our commitment to our Gulf Coast Chef's and Restaurants.
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS
Festival attendees vote for their favorites across multiple categories - best brew, best home brew, best bacon & BBQ creations, best booth, crowd favorite, and more.
SATURDAY MORNING CHILI COOK-OFF (New for 2026!)
Join the Chili Cookoff right along our local 1st Responders. All money raised from Saturday morning will go into the 1st Responders Grant Program to help offset financial needs. There will be a $250 prize to the winning chili. 1st Responders vs the community - a way to build community. All 1st responders are invited to make a team and compete: emergency services, firefighters, police, EMTs - compete for bragging rights and prizes.
TALENT COMPETITION
Show off your skills on the main stage! Music, comedy, unique talents welcome with cash prizes for winners. Friday and Saturday night slots for the adults. Saturday morning slots for the kids.
BACON, BBQ & COCKTAIL COMPETITIONS (Restaurants AND OTHER VENDORS)
Professional and amateur divisions for the best drinks & food creations on the Gulf Coast with People's Choice Awards and opportunity to walk away with a Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships in Indianapolis with opportunity to win Grand Prize of over $100,000.
Not Just a Festival—A Mission
Every sip and every bite goes toward building wheelchair ramps, celebrating unsung caregiving heroes, and keeping our Gulf Coast community lifted. The 1st Responders Chili Cook-off funds will go into our 2026 1st Responders Grant Program that we will be kicking off.
Beer & Bacon Fest is the largest fundraiser for Mississippi Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting family caregivers across Mississippi. In 2025, we raised $45,000 with this event and built 50+ ramps. This year, we're aiming even bigger.
Run, Walk, or Roll for a Cause!
Start your festival weekend right with the Gulf Coast Beer & Bacon 5K! Come in costume (bacon, pig, or your favorite beer outfit), support caregivers across Mississippi, and kick off the most delicious weekend of the year.
RACE DETAILS:
- When: Friday evening (part of festival weekend)
- Where: Starts and ends at Centennial Plaza
- Cost: $35 (includes medal + t-shirt) | $25 (group discount) | $10 (just run, no swag)
- Awards: Trophies for top finishers, best costume prizes
- Timing: Professional timing by DIVATIMING
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Honor a caregiver in your life
- Costume contest with prizes (best bacon, pig, beer costumes!)
- All proceeds support Mississippi Heroes wheelchair ramp program
- Water and snacks for all participants; beer on the route for 21+
- Free to show up and cheer on participants
AGE DIVISIONS & AWARDS:
- Top winners in 12 & Under,
- 13-19,
- 20-29,
- 30-39,
- 40-49,
- 50-59,
- 60-69,
- 70-79,
- 80+ plus
- overall male/female champions
Stay Where the Party Happens
Special Room Rates Apply:
- Single King: $132.00 per night + taxes/fees
- Double Queen: $142.00 per night + taxes/fees
- Group Code: BEER&BACON2026
- Book by February 13, 2025 - rooms held until this date
How to Book: Visit Centennial Plaza online or call 228.206.7880 (Extension 1 or 2)
Online Booking Steps:
- Visit Oasis Resort/Grand Centennial Hotel booking site
- Click Promo Code and press down arrow to choose Group Code
- Enter Group Code: BEER&BACON2026
- Enter your dates of stay
- Search for rooms where your code is applied
- Make your reservation!
