If you’re not busy this weekend, I highly recommend getting yourself down to Fort Myers, Florida for some cheesy goodness. No, I don’t mean cheesy as in lame—I mean actual cheese because the Festival of Mac & Cheese is happening!
- It’s for one day only, so time is of the essence. Admittedly, given that the festival is happening on July 14, you don’t have much notice to hightail it down south in time for some delicious pasta. However, if you live closeby or even in Fort Myers, run don’t walk to be first in line (and to burn some calories since you’re going to eat your weight in mac & cheese soon).
- It coincides with National Mac & Cheese Day Why July 14th? Well, it’s only a national holiday—National Mac & Cheese Day, that is. It’s only right that we show respect for the sharp cheddars, gooey bries, and creamy goudas that will sacrifice themselves for sake of greater mac, right?
- This is no Kraft affair. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love that little blue box, but the Festival of Mac & Cheese is a little more artisanal than that. The Millennial Brewing Company, which is hosting the event, promises that there will be plenty mac as well as “even more vendors, a macaroni and cheese competition, and some of the best chefs and food trucks in the area.” I’m sold!
- It’s going on for seven hours, so go hungry. The festival starts at noon and will keep going until 7 p.m., so if you’re going, you should probably have a light dinner on Saturday night and arrive hungry on Sunday. There’s no limit to what kind of mac & cheese concoctions the chefs will come up with and you’ll want to make sure there’s room in your belly to try every single one.
- You don’t have to miss out if you’re vegan. Obviously the whole cheese situation is a no-go for those following a vegan diet, but you can still take part! Millennial Brewing is throwing a vegan mac & cheese home cook throwdown on July 12th (that’s tonight!) at 7 p.m. also in Fort Myers. See? No one has to miss out!
