The first Vermont Cheesemakers’ Festival was held at Shelburne Farms in 1996 when the US Small Business Administration awarded Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery the Small Business Persons of the Year Award for Vermont. Fourteen years later Vermont has evolved into the premium artisanal cheese state with the highest number of cheesemakers per capita. Over 40 of them in a little state agreed that it was worth getting back together to share their passion for making fine cheeses, local and fresh foods and invite consumers and the trade hungry to experience the region's craft cheeses and Vermont's culinary products.

Visitors will meet cheesemakers, taste, and purchase their cheeses. Cheese tastings, educational seminars, cooking demonstrations by star chefs, and cheesemaking demonstrations will be presented throughout the day. The festival will be a “one-of-a-kind East Coast cheese event of the year.”

The Vermont Cheesemakers’ Festival has been organized by Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery in partnership with the Vermont Cheese Council.