ELLSWORTH – The Cheese Curd Festival has been selected by a panel of industry experts and editors at USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards as a nominee for Best Specialty Food Festival for the second year in a row.

“Last year at the end of the competition the festival came in #10, which was quite an honor considering the huge festivals we competed against,” said Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce co-Director Kim Beebe. “We actually didn’t realize we were up for the award and didn’t promote the competition or encourage people to vote, so it was a surprise and extra special that festival fans took it upon themselves to vote without our knowledge!”

Voting is open to the public until 11:59 a.m. Monday, March 18. People can vote once per day at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-specialty-food-festival-2024/ Beebe hopes Cheese Curd Festival can make it in the Top 5 this year.

Nominees for all categories are chosen by a panel of relevant experts which include a combination of editors from USA TODAY; editors from 10Best.com; relevant expert contributors; and sources for both these media and other Gannett properties. The nomination panel for each award category is displayed on its associated contest page. All voting is digital and the 10Best Readers' Choice Award contest is accessible on the 10Best.com website.