Twenty-five years ago, a group of community leaders had a simple idea: celebrate Ellsworth’s claim to fame as the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin. What began as a small-town festival has grown into a nationally recognized event that welcomes more than 25,000 attendees each year and shines a spotlight on Wisconsin’s dairy heritage.
On June 26-27, the Cheese Curd Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary in Ellsworth’s East End Park and Commercial District. The milestone comes on the heels of another national honor, as the festival was recently named the No. 4 Best Specialty Food Festival in the nation in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The ranking marks the fourth consecutive year the Cheese Curd Festival has earned a place among the nation’s top specialty food festivals.
The festival’s roots are closely tied to Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, whose fresh cheese curds helped earn Ellsworth its designation as the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin. Today, the Creamery remains the festival’s Presenting Sponsor and a cornerstone of the event’s continued success.
While cheese curds remain at the heart of the celebration, the festival has grown and evolved over the past 25 years. Cheese curds can be found throughout the festival, with every food vendor featuring at least two creative curd-inspired menu items. At Cheese Curd Central, festival guests can enjoy classic natural deep-fried cheese curds, the popular Cinnamon Sugar Fried Cheese Curds, a Cheese Curd Festival original, and this year’s signature flavor, Garlic Truffle Parm. Along Food Truck Alley, visitors will find everything from traditional favorites to one-of a-kind cheese curd creations.
Beyond The Curds
Beyond the curds, the festival also features live music on multiple stages, a classic car show, artisan marketplace, family-friendly activities, and a variety of unique tasting experiences. Festival-goers can sample Wisconsin cheeses, regional craft beverages, ice cream, milk and cookie pairings, and more through the festival’s popular Taste of Wisconsin tasting events. Tickets for these limited-capacity experiences are available now. The festival also features the crowd-favorite Cheese Curd Eating Contest.
For Executive Director Kim Beebe, the anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the people who made the festival possible.
“Twenty-five years ago, a group of people had an idea and were willing to do the work to bring it to life,” said Beebe. “That’s what makes this anniversary so meaningful. We’re grateful to the individuals who took that first step, as well as the countless volunteers, sponsors, community partners, and festival guests who have supported the event over the years. Their dedication and enthusiasm helped transform a local celebration into an event that attracts visitors from across the region, supports local businesses and nonprofits, and earns national recognition for Ellsworth.”
Today, the Cheese Curd Festival draws more than 25,000 attendees and generates a significant economic impact for the community while supporting local nonprofits, businesses, and tourism efforts. Visitors from across the nation fill local hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions, helping extend the festival’s benefits well beyond the festival grounds.
As the festival enters its 25th year, organizers say the mission remains much the same as it was in 2001: bring people together, celebrate Wisconsin’s dairy heritage, and have a little fun along the way.
The 2026 Cheese Curd Festival will take place June 26-27 in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. Admission, parking, and shuttle service are free. Information about festival events and tasting tickets is available at cheesecurdfestival.com.
