[AP photo]

Only in its second year, and Baconfest already feels so official.

The celebration of all things bacon, started by a trio of bacon-loving Chicago guys, will be held April 9 at the UIC Forum and has a chief sponsor this year -- the Illinois Pork Producers Association.

More than 50 chefs, double last year's number, have signed on to provide porcine treats; in addition, more than 20 vendors will be offering bacon-themed merchandise (bacon soap, bacon lip balm, bacon pillows and so on, Forrest). There will also be an amateur bacon cook-off.

And unlike the inaugural fest, where attendees had to make the painstaking decision of choosing between two tasting sessions (or going whole hog and buying their way into both halves), this year's is one big, fat, glorious tasting from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Tickets are $65 and go on sale at noon Friday (there's a 4-ticket limit per transaction) on the Baconfest website. There are some 1,500 tickets available. You've been warned.