Bacon-Fest KC & Other Weekend Possibilities

This is what you train for Kansas City. This is why you eat prodigious amounts of pork and understand that the meat sweats mean the real work of eating is about to begin. Bacon-Fest KC: The Other Fundraiser is Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at 3011 Baltimore Ave. You get bacon samples in everything from pure bacon form to dessert, a T-shirt and a cup that can be filled with beer.

The event raises funds for the Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center and The Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City. Tickets are $50 in advance and $55 the day of. VIP tickets are $100 and include entry at 1 p.m., as well as entrance into the Bacon Lounge. You can throw down an extra $10 to be a competitor in the bacon-eating contest.

Paris of the Plains Cocktail Festival is back, and with it comes a bevy of opportunities to learn more about spirits, get to know your favorite local bartenders or even get in some yoga. No fooling, they’re offering morning yoga this year. Amidst a packed schedule of seminars and events, here’s three to consider. The Bartender Competition is tonight at 7 p.m., there’s a burritos and Jarritos luncheon Saturday, and there’s the opportunity to find out what it takes to launch your own distillery at an 11 a.m. Sunday class.

Always wondered about plant-based cheese, but been hesitant to take the plunge? Perhaps a bit of wine will help. But I Can’t Give Up Cheese is an event at 7 p.m. tonight at the Berg Event Space (1525 Grand Blvd.) put on by VegFest Kansas City. Try three cashew cheeses and a treat from Mud Pie Vegan Bakery. Tickets are $25 and include two glasses of wine.

Enjoy a little bit of shopping and a few bites at The Vintage Whites Market this Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 12th Street Bridge in the West Bottoms. There will be plenty of craft vendors, but the draw for food folks is special guest Ree Drummond, better known as The Pioneer Woman, who will be in town Saturday. Tickets are $16 on Friday and $6 on Saturday.

Discover the foods of Turkey at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The Turkish Food Fest Kansas City (4215 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kansas) features traditional dancing performances, as well as kebabs, gyros, baklava and Turkish coffee.

Feel like Indian instead? The India Association of Kansas City is sponsoring India Fest 2016 at the Overland Park Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. There will be dancing, a market with jewelry and clothing and a host of Indian cuisine. Admission and parking are free.

Get in touch with your inner cowboy or cowgirl at Buffalo Bill Days. The Western-themed festival is Friday through Sunday at Ray Miller Park in Leavenworth, Kansas. You’ll see re-enactors or you can throw your hat in the ring for a free wing-eating competition — kids can compete in tater tot eating — Saturday sponsored by Grinders. Sunday you can participate in a beard and mustache competition.

— Jonathan Bender writes about food trends and is the author of “Cookies & Beer” and “Stock, Broth & Bowl.” Follow him on Twitter @jonathanbender.