It’s time for some unfun in Ellsworth.

The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce is having an Cheese Curd unFestival.

The regular June event that had to be cancelled this year pumps more than $2.5 million into the local economy, so the chamber is trying to do something to “fill the void for nonprofits,” said Becky Bessel, chamber Executive Team member. She introduced the festival idea at the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce monthly Kickstarter meeting held via Zoom.

The festival will be mostly virtual and will allow the

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community an opportunity to support the event, which in turn intends to make sure non-profit organizations that have worked so hard to make the even a success aren’t left empty handed this year, as they count on Cheese Curd Fest funds to do their good work in the community.

People will have the opportunity to buy virtual cheese curds and beer in donating to the cause.

The chamber is lining up business sponsors for the event and hoping to raise another $15,000 through the virtual event.

The event will run online – stay tuned to the chamber Facebook and web pages – July 20-27.

And you will have an opportunity to purchase real, deep fried famous Ellsworth cheese curds. A drive-through will be set up at the Ellsworth Creamery on Saturday, July 25, and the cheese curds will be sold three boats for $20.

“We’re thinking we can fry 1,000 lbs. in eight hours. That would equate to 1,700 cars. As long as everybody doesn’t show up right at 10 a.m., we’ll be good,” said Chamber Executive Team Member Kim

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Beebe said.

There will also be a prize giveaway to go make the week even for unfun! The grand prize will be a Cheese Curd Festival Party, complete with deep fried curds, beer, tastings and merchandise delivered to the winners’ door.