Workers at “Cheese Curd Central” prepared freshly fried Ellsworth cheese curds to be served to customers Friday, June 23.
Andrew Harrington / Pierce County Journal
Attendees were welcomed with large signs, colorful posters and a map for people to pin where they are from at the 2023 Cheese Curd Festival in Ellsworth.
Andrew Harrington / Pierce County Journal
The Cheese Curd Festival Car Show Friday night featured many sweet rides, including this 1978 Cadillac Eldorado owned by Stever Karger.
Andrew Harrington / Pierce County Journal
Fifteen-year-old Hayden Ekholm, of River Falls, was the first runner to cross the finish line during the Cheese Curd 5K Saturday, June 24.
Jack McLoone / Pierce County Journal
Jack Knife & The Sharps kicked off the live music on the main stage on Friday, June 23 at Cheese Curd Festival with their “unique upbeat style.”
Andrew Harrington / Pierce County Journal
(From left): Sen. Jeff Smith, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and Rep. Warren Petryk were on hand as Cheese Curd Festival volunteers Saturday, June 24.
Jack McLoone / Pierce County Journal
Wall Street was a foodie’s dream during the 2023 Cheese Curd Festival. Attendees could find all sorts of cheese curd-infused dishes, including bacon wrapped jalapeno peppers, mini donuts, nachos, pizza and more.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
This year’s featured flavor at Cheese Curd Festival was Nacho Supremo, a comination of taco, sour cream and a bit of jalapeno.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
Ellsworth Lions Club members Sharlene Kreye (left) and Margaret Volenec served up fresh, hot cheese curds at “Cheese Curd Central” Saturday morning.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
Lydia Olsen of Tuscaloose, Alabama placed her pin on the map at Cheese Curd Festival in Ellsworth Saturday. Visitors came from all 50 states and several countries. Attendees numbered around 25,000 this year, considered a win thanks to the weather reports and downpour.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
Cheese Curd Festival visitors were greeted by the opportunity to color on a large mural when they entered the festival grounds.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
Meghan Griffin and Karol Dyrkacz of St. Paul took an opportunity to get a photo at the giant “CURDS” sign when entering the Cheese Curd Festival grounds Saturday, June 24.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
Ten-year-old Carolina Young was one of more than 300 community volunteers who helped Cheese Curd Festival 2023 run smoothly. Young worked in the curd merch store on Broadway Street.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
Competitors in Saturday’s cheese curd eating contest were laser-focused on their mission Saturday, June 24 at Cheese Curd Festival.
Photo courtesy of Cheese Curd Festival Committee
The Block Party is always a popular event at Cheese Curd Festival, where people can taste a variety of cheeses.
Photo courtesy of Cheese Curd Festival Committee
Rush River Brewing was one of many breweries/distilleries/wineries featured at Cheese Curd Festival 2023 during a tasting event.
Photo courtesy of Cheese Curd Festival Committee
