Celebrate All Things Cheese At The Annual Arthur Amish Cheese Festival In Illinois This Labor Day Weekend

A festival in Arthur, IL is one of the best ways to spend your Labor Day weekend. Why not do something a little different this year and attend the 51st Annual Arthur Amish Cheese Festival? This fun event will take place Aug. 31 through Sept. 3, 2024, offering plenty of delightful activities, live entertainment, fun, and cheese — LOTS of cheese! Read on to see what's in store over this delicious weekend dedicated to cheese!

Arthur is a small village located within the Illinois Amish country with a population of approximately 2,200 residents.

It hosts several events throughout the year for locals and visitors alike, including the annual Arthur Amish Country Cheese Festival which takes place downtown.

Folks come out in droves to experience the food and craft vendors, live musical performances, and fun for the kids.

If you are someone who loves cheese, this festival is one of the things to do in Arthur, IL.

It's an event that many families in the area look forward to every year, because in addition to great food, you never know what you might see.

Especially keep your eyes peeled during the "Big Cheese” Parade held on Saturday.

The line-up for the parade begins at 2:30 p.m. in the old Progress Tank Facility at 402 E. Progress St. The parade will start at 3:45.

In addition, all festival attendees will receive free slices of cheese at the Big Cheese Tent on all three days.

The Cheese Tent will also host the National Cheese Eating Championships on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Each contestant will receive a one-pound block of Colby cheese, a bottle of water, and five minutes to finish. The first one to eat all or most by the end of those five minutes is declared the winner.

This competition is limited to the first 36 contestants in each age class. Just listen for a large chanting crowd.

Also on the schedule for Saturday at 2 p.m. on Vine Street is the Cheese Chaser Kids Run, one of the best events of this Amish cheese festival in Illinois.

During this free event, kids will chase the two Festival Mascots - Artie Mouse and Miss Slice - down the street for two blocks. At the end of the race, participants will receive an honorary medal and a goody bag.

Another fun event to consider participating in is the International Cheese Curling Championships beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

This competition occurs at Illinois and Vine Streets which takes the idea of ice curling to a whole other level. Watch while folks use brooms and four-pound wheels of cheese instead of curling stones.

Both the Main stage and The Penn Station Music Hall, located close to the Arthur Welcome Center, will host live entertainment throughout the weekend.

Other events include foot races, a fireman's breakfast, a car show, buggy rides, and the Bob Doan Memorial Cheese Curd Spitting Contest.

With all the cheese and scheduled events throughout the weekend, we also love a reason to visit the lovely Amish country in Illinois. What about you?

A festival in Arthur, IL is the best way to welcome summer. Are you ready for a delicious Labor Day weekend in the town of Arthur? Discover more on the Arthur Cheese Festival website. Have you attended this event? Please share your experience in the comments below. If you plan on bringing some cheese home, learn to make Swiss fondue.

And while you're there, shop for some diverse and interesting finds at the Third Saturday Arthur Flea Market.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/illinois/amish-flea-market-il/