Saturday, March 20th, is sure to be a spectacular day. Thousands of visitors will join under the giant market-style tent to celebrate the 6th Annual Oregon Cheese Festival at Rogue Creamery’s Central Point facility (311 N. Front Street) from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Festival artisans will include:

• Lillie Belle Farms
• Dagoba Organic Chocolate
• Gary West Meats
• Rising Sun Farms
• Butte Creek Mill
• Slagle Creek Vineyards
• Paschal Winery
• Madrone Mountain Vineyard
• Eden Vale Winery
• Wandering Aengus Ciderworks
• Deux Chats Bakery
• Rogue Ales
• And many, many more.

The public is invited to sample and purchase to their heart’s desire. From the many culinary booths, guests are allowed to sample various cow, sheep, and goat cheeses provided by some of Oregon and Northern California’s best creameries, including:

• Fraga Farm
• Juniper Grove Farm
• Pholia Farm
• Silver Falls Creamery
• Tillamook County Creamery
• Willamette Valley Cheese Co.
• Ancient Heritage Dairy
• Cypress Grove
• Rogue Creamery
• And many others.

A $10 entry fee will include all tastings and demonstrations. An extra $5 wine tasting fee will get you a commemorative wine glass with the Oregon Cheese Guild logo. Demonstrations will be held throughout the day on a variety of topics including cheese and wine pairing. Chef Vitaley Paley of Paley’s Place in Portland and author of “The Paley’s Place Cookbook: Recipes and Stories from the Pacific Northwest” will also be on hand to offer helpful tips on using and cooking with cheese. Festival music will be provided by the students of Crater High School and the little ones are encouraged to participate in the annual coloring contest, sponsored by the Dairy Farmers of Oregon.

And don’t forget! On Friday, March 19th, from 6:15pm to 9:00pm, the Oregon Cheesemaker Guild will be kicking off the festival with an elegant “Meet the Wine and Cheese Makers Commencement Dinner” to introduce guests to the participating artisans. Each course will feature artisan cheeses made by guild members and paired with local wines. Cheese expert Max McCalman, author of “Mastering Cheese”, will be on hand to emcee the event to lead the guests through each course as well. This extravagant night will be held at the historic U.S. Hotel Ballroom at the Jacksonville Inn (175 East California Street) and will allow the public a chance for intimate conversation with the experts. Tickets are $75 per person, and available for purchase by calling the toll free number 866-396-474. All proceeds will go to benefit the Oregon Cheesemaker Guild.

For more information, feel free to contact the Rogue Creamery at 866-396-4704 or visit www.roguecreamery.com.