The votes are in, and Ellsworth’s Cheese Curd Festival has once again earned national recognition, ranking #4 in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Specialty Food Festival!

This marks another exciting milestone for the festival, which has consistently placed among the top food festivals in the nation—further solidifying Ellsworth’s reputation as the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin. This year’s competition featured 19 standout festivals from across the U.S., and the Cheese Curd Festival was proud to be the only festival from the Midwest to make the list, representing not only Wisconsin but the heart of America on the national stage.

“We are beyond thrilled to see the Cheese Curd Festival continue to receive national recognition,” said Kim Beebe, Executive Director of the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce. “This ranking is a testament to the incredible support from our community, our festival-goers, and the dedication of everyone who works so hard to make this event a success. It’s an honor to see Ellsworth stand out and represent the Midwest among so many fantastic food festivals.”

The 2025 Cheese Curd Festival will take place June 27–28 in Ellsworth’s East End Park, where attendees can enjoy an abundance of deep-fried cheese curds, innovative tasting events, live music, a classic car show, and a wide variety of festival experiences. The event draws tens of thousands of visitors each year, helping to boost the local economy and shine a national spotlight on Wisconsin’s rich dairy heritage.

For more details about the festival, visit www.cheesecurdfestival.com. To see the full list of USA TODAY 10Best Specialty Food Festivals, visit https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-specialty-food-festival-2025/.

Submitted by Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce