New Mac and Cheese Festival Heading to This Indiana City

Fans of Mac and Cheese will be able to get their fill of cheesy goodness, craft beer, live music, and more at Indiana's new Mac and Cheese Festival.

Mac and cheese is one of my favorite dishes in which to indulge. In my opinion, the creamier, the better. While I usually keep the box stuff stocked in my kitchen pantry, I now prefer making my own from scratch. Recently, I started cooking it in my backyard smoker to add a nice kiss of smoke to my noodles and sharp cheddar cheese sauce. (10/10 recommend) Regardless of how you like to prepare your mac and cheese, I'm sure you'll be able to find quite a few you like at a new festival heading to northern Indiana in July 2024.

According to Indiana's Mac and Cheese Festival website, in 2019, Outlier Events partnered with the Michigan Dairy Farmers for the state's first Mac and Cheese Festival in Kalamazoo. Interest in the event has grown so much that it's now traveling to new cities and locations for the first time, with Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the top of the list. At first glance, I thought it would be just a handful of food trucks lined up for a few hours of cheesy fun, but this event is bringing so much more to the table.

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The festival kicks off in Fort Wayne on Saturday, July 13 at 5 p.m. and is set to feature over 50 different kinds of mac and cheese for guests to sample. I would imagine there will be quite a few beer-cheese options in that mix, as the event will also include over 150 craft beers, ciders, seltzers, and spirits. You'll be able to enjoy all of those carbohydrates while listening to live music and watching a fireworks show later in the evening.

This is a family-friendly function with activities for all ages. Kids can expect to enjoy their samples while getting in line for a glitter tattoo or even a balloon from some talented balloon twisters. The festival will take place at Parkview Field, but tickets are required to attend. (You can purchase those here.) If you would like to stay up-to-date with Indiana's new festival, you can check their Facebook page and website for regular updates.