Cheese Capital Festival Returns for Third Year of Fun and Flavor in Plymouth

Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28 marked the 3rd Annual Cheese Capital Festival in Plymouth.

Friday night kicked off with a high-energy welcome as the roar of engines echoed through downtown—elite race cars from the Trans Am Series and Optima Ultimate Street Car Competition thundered into Plymouth for the Road America Car Parade. Spectators lined the streets, eager to get up close to these powerful machines and meet the drivers in Stayer Park. The excitement was electric as drivers signed autographs and invited attendees to sit inside the race cars for a one-of-a-kind experience. During this time, Doozey rocked the stage, and after the parade returned to the track, Model Citizens closed out the night.

Saturday kicked off with the Cheese Parade. Parade-goers enjoyed over 30 cheese-themed floats from our amazing local businesses and organizations. Parade highlights included a high-energy performance by the Sheboygan North High Drumline sponsored by Shell Plastics. And the Cheese Parade Grand Marshal, Courtney Booth, proudly carrying her tiara and bedazzled cheese scepter. Mill Street Live also participated in the parade, and attendees received an abundance of cheese from local cheese companies.

Following the parade, the community gathered at Stayer Park for family fun, including a DJ that had everyone dancing with the Johnsonville Racing Sausages and Sarg from Sargento. Masters Gallery Foods’ mascot Captain Curd was also in attendance for photo opportunities. Families enjoyed the Kids Zone, which included two bounce houses, face painting, live cows, Addie the Cow, and more.

At 11 a.m., the Mac & Cheese Contest started between local restaurants. Attendees sampled mac and cheese from Antoinette’s, Big Billy’s BBQ, Red Shorts Cafe, Sweet Basil, and Three Guys and a Grill. Big Billy’s BBQ won the Judge’s Choice for their Burnt Ends Mac, while Antoinette’s earned the People’s Choice Award for their Pot Roast Mac & Cheese. The contest was such a hit that it sold out completely.

New this year, several food vendors created special cheese-inspired dishes just for the festival, adding even more flavor and creativity to the weekend.

At 1 p.m., the Cheese Eating Contest sponsored by The Big Cheese took place. Eleven other competitors signed up to face defending champion Matt Magle, City of Plymouth Street Superintendent. Contestants had three minutes to eat as much of a one-pound block of cheddar cheese as they could. The winner for the third year in a row was… Matt Magle!

(Photo from City of Plymouth)

At 4 p.m., the Cheese Wedge Race commenced down the Mullet River. Four lucky winners received $1,000, $500, $250, and $100 as their cheese foam wedges reached the finish line first.

Additionally, throughout the day, Cheese Talks were held on the Stayer Park stage by Sartori Cheese, Alice in Dairyland, Glacier Transit & Storage, Sargento Cheese, Masters Gallery Foods, and Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center.

Saturday’s entertainment featured Mill Street Live presented by Sargento, followed by Sister Winchester, and the festival closed with an exciting performance by award-winning country artist Brady Lee.

Thank you to our event sponsors: Masters Gallery Foods, Sargento, Sartori, and Great Lakes Cheese.

Additional event photos can be viewed on our Facebook page.