About the Festival

Ellsworth’s Cheese Curd Festival is held each year in June and celebrates our town’s designation as the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin. Our very own Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery creates the tasty white morsels, which have earned worldwide acclaim.

Centrally located within Ellsworth’s East End Park, admission to the festival is free. You would be wise to wear your stretchy pants to fully enjoy the wide variety of creative cheese curd dishes, fresh hand-battered, deep-fried cheese curds and dipping sauces, and an exclusive top-secret dessert curd that rivals the mini donut!

Several guided tasting experiences offer you the opportunity to learn and engage with the crafters, cooks, and makers of our festival’s starring foods: Cheese, craft beer, wine, hard ciders, real dairy ice-cream, and authentic Sconnie BBQ.

When you’ve had your fill of food, sit back and enjoy an eclectic mix of music. A variety of regional acts, ranging from solo vocal artists and blues and folk acts, to tribute bands, perform throughout the festival. The Cheese Curd Eating Contest is great fun and keeps spectators on the edge of their seats cheering for their favorite competitors, which if you’re feeling adventurous, could be you!

Parking/Shuttle

You’ll be glad to know that there is free parking and free shuttle service for festival attendees! Shuttle Service Hours: Friday: 4:00pm-10:30pm and Saturday 9am-10:30pm. Watch for signs to guide you to our official Cheese Curd Festival parking lots:

Ellsworth Elementary School/High School lot – 445 S Piety St, Ellsworth, WI.
Pierce County Office Building lot on W Kinne Street and a secondary lot on W Grove Street – 412 W Kinne St, Ellsworth, WI.

Parking is also allowed on all village streets (except where posted).

INSIDER TIP: We recommend taking the shuttle. It’s a short ride between the festival parking lots and festival grounds. Free and continuous shuttle service allows you to get in on all the food, music, shopping, and fun without a long wait (or walk). You’ll be dropped at the festival’s main entrance with immediate access to all the Cheese Curd Festival has to offer!

HANDICAPPED PARKING: We have a limited number of designated disabled-accessible parking spaces (watch for signs) on a first come first served basis on Morse Street, near the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery. If you are capable of boarding a bus, we recommend parking at the Ellsworth Elementary/High School parking lot where the majority of disabled-accessible parking and continuous shuttle bus service are available. Vehicles must have appropriate plates or permits to park in accessible spaces. All parking is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lodging

Make your trip to the festival a weekend affair. A variety of lodging options are available in close proximity to Ellsworth, including hotels, B&Bs, and camping.