Held in the theatre’s parking lot, BaconFest offers more than just strips of greasy grub washed down with local brews (though that’s all included with the price of admission). This year’s fattened-up lineup includes X-rated face painting, a silent auction and booths offering services such as consultations with Dr. Boobies and Hobo Wine Tastings. Other attractions include eating contests (isn’t that sort of what the entire event is?) and the coronation of this year’s Bacon King and Queen. And while the Vortex keeps cooking up the bacon, you can also enjoy music from local bands such as Mike LaSage & the Stumbling Troubadours, the Young Orchids and Darling Norman.

Depending on how much you want to pig out at this year’s BaconFest, there are three admission options. Portioned Porking ($25 online, $35 over the phone/at the door) offers “a fistful” of game tickets and three cups of beer and/or bacon. Bottomless Bacon ($50 online, $60 over the phone/at the door) provides unlimited game tickets, bacon and beer. And for those who really want to overindulge, the new Whole Hog option (a $50 upgrade) includes servings from a whole roasted pig courtesy of P’Cheen, exotically-flavored bacon not available to other festival-goers, high gravity beer from Wild Heaven Craft Beers and a bacon bib. With all the other hog-inspired hilarity and festival fare, busting a gut could take on a more literal meaning at BaconFest if your not careful.

Friday night, one of the best comedy shows in Athens, The Beards of Comedy, will be celebrating the release of their debut album, Comedy for People at The Melting Point.

The Beards of Comedy, featuring Tj Young, Andy Sandford, Dave Stone, and Joe Zimmerman, are four of Atlanta’s best comedians. Their style is deeply rooted in stand-up with masterful use of improv and sketch thrown in. With a brand of comedy not typical of the south, be prepared to hear everything from pop culture to philosophy to down-right silliness. The Beards, and yes they all have beards, are a welcome break from the idiotic Dane Cooks of the world. A sense of humor that is sarcastic, observant, and intelligent, The Beards aren’t going to dumb anything down for anyone, except maybe the redneck in the back.

Copies of Comedy for People will be available for only $10 at the release show. For those not able to make the show, you can buy Comedy for People on iTunes or from RooftopComedy.com.

Added Bonus: Tj Young’s band, Hey, Revolution, will be making a special appearance after the comedy.

For a sneak peek, check out this reel from the Beards of Comedy:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

• Sunny Day Real Estate, The Jealous Sound at Center Stage 8PM Doors, 9PM Show | Sold Out | 18+
• Matt Brown (of Uncle Green), Jon Auer (of The Posies & Big Star)
• Dan Deacon, Wavves, Ganglians at 40 Watt | $12
• Found Art at Mint Gallery
• Comicpalooza at Laughing Skull Lounge | 8PM & 10PM | $15-$18
• John Caparulo at The Punchline | 7PM & 9PM & 11PM | $20
• Comedy Gold featuring Joe Zimmerman @ Landmark Diner Side Lounge | 9PM | $10

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

• Hunx & His Punx, Balkans at Vacation Gallery
• Comicpalooza at Laughing Skull Lounge | 7PM & 9PM | $12-$15
• John Caparulo at The Punchline | 8PM | $15

This Friday, local comedian Justin Morgan will be debuting a new late-night monthly comedy show, Feel Good Inc., at the Landmark Diner Side Lounge. With a focus on more progressive and alternative comedy (think HBO and Comedy Central Specials), Feel Good Inc., will bring in some of Atlanta’s best stand-up comedians and nationally touring headliners.

This month Joe Zimmerman will be headlining with Patton Smith and Justin himself performing, with Steve Forrest as host and MC.

This show has the potential to be the best new night in comedy in Atlanta, if you can stand to make the pilgrimage into Buckhead to see it. Don’t miss out on a good night of laughs!

Tomorrow night, catch North Georgia native and national comedy headliner, Brett Butler, for her first of a few weeks worth of new material at the Laughing Skull Lounge.

Butler is not just another Southern comedian who makes jokes about the woes and idiosyncrasies of living in the South. Her comedic timing partnered with her ability to seem completely clueless that she’s funny, makes her stand-up worth checking out. You can’t hold Grace Under Fire against her.