Holmen Area Community Center celebrates Cheese Fest

“Who doesn’t like mac and cheese?”

That was the response from Robin Moses, the Executive Director of the Holmen Area Community Center.

Mac and cheese is one of the features of the second annual Cheese Fest fundraiser for the center.

It gets underway at 10 a.m. with a craft market. Featuring a cheese theme, food is also served starting at 10.

While a few of the activities are outside, most are inside the center with its air conditioning.

Other events include basket and 50/50 raffles, a silent auction, and a wine draw.

The mac and cheese contest begins at noon.

People can sample the entries then buy tickets for a dollar each and vote on their favorite sample. Three judges will also determine a winner.

The first, second, and third place winners from last year are once again for the top spot in the contest.

Following the contest, a cheese and wine tasting takes place from 2-4 p.m. featuring samples from local wineries.

Cheesy art entries are competing at the center in a new event this year. Moses said that there are paintings, and some exciting 3D works.

“One person decorated a cheese grater as a Packers theme, and they put it on a little cutting board that’s painted like a football field. And so you have just this adorable cheese grater on top of a football field with yard marks and a piece of cheese that looks like the football,” Moses said.

Music is also featured. A live music stage with acts including Joe Cody, Crooked Willow, and Mr. Blink are performing from noon to 6 p.m.

Moses said that one of the biggest sponsors, Holmen Cheese, donated cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches.

The Holmen Area Community Center is a non-profit organization, so they have to rely on fundraisers, grants, and some help from the village to help cover expenses. It provides programming for people of all ages from toddlers and new mothers to seniors. This includes a variety of exercise activities, games, and arts events. They also provide senior meals at the center and assist with mobile meals for people in the Holmen area.

Learn more about the center and what they do by clicking here.