Plenty to see and do at cheese festival

Smile and say, “C-H-E-E-S-E” because it's time for the 33rd annual Watonga Cheese Festival and Art Show.

The festival will be held Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The two-day festival is celebrated throughout the town, and will kick off with an opening ceremony at Centennial Park located at the corner of West Main and Leach Street in downtown Watonga.

“The whole community really comes together and unites around this one thing. It’s a day that everyone can find something of interest, from art and music to the quilts and crafts. We have a children’s area where they will do fun things like make Dream Makers and decorate cookies. There is something for everybody,” said Joyce Lucas, chair of the festival committee.

One featured attraction is the art show, which includes collections of oils, acrylics, watercolors and pastels, photography and graphics, plus pottery and sculpture.

Two large tents will be filled with various crafts including many ‘Made in Oklahoma’ items.

The festival also features one of the largest quilt shows in western Oklahoma, a classic car and motorcycle show, cheese tasting line, cheese food contest, merchants cheese food tour, games, rides, "Rat Race," parade and much more.

The Armory will feature craft and wine vendors from across Oklahoma. Visitors over the age of 21 will be able to sample the types of wines available.

This year’s entertainment will include a performance by Comedy Magician ‘MagicJon’, who will also be acting as the emcee for both days of the festival. The audience will be the first to see him attempt his ‘metamorphosis’- the world’s fastest illusion on Friday at 1:30 p.m.

Live music will be played on two stages and will include performances by guitarist Edgar Cruz, red dirt band Riders Ford, gospel group Delivered 24/7, and Larry Ford with his bluegrass band.

Lucas said everyone is invited to enter the Cheese Food Contest that is held at the Blaine County Fairgrounds. The junior division (under 18 years of age) will be held Friday, and the senior division will be held on Saturday.

Recipes may be entered in the following classes: main dish, vegetable, breads, desserts, cheese snacks and salads.

Each dish must contain at least three ounces of cheese or cheese products. At least one-half of the recipe must be brought for display, providing that the dish is presented in an attractive manner. Recipes must accompany the dish and be printed or typed on a card for display. Only one entry per class allowed per person. Food entries are to be in place by 9:30 a.m. each day and will be released no earlier than 4:30 p.m.

For more information about the Cheese Food Contest, contact Joy Rhodes at 580-623-5195.

The Rat Race is Saturday morning and will include a 5K, 10K and one mile fun run.

Race participants may pre-register at city hall or just show up that morning. The fun run starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K and 10K will start at 9 a.m.

“Last year we had over 12,000 people attend the festival. We hope it keeps the name of Watonga out in the state and lets people know that were still here and a viable community,” said Lucas.

For more information and a schedule of events visit www.watongacheesefestival.com.