Green County Cheese Days, Wisconsin Cheese Days, Monroe Cheese Days—people name this cheese festival differently, but its core idea remains the same. Located in the Historic Green County Courthouse, Green County Cheese Days celebrates cheese in all of its forms and is a perfect event for all cheese lovers. Dating back to 1914, it has a long history and continues to entertain cheese connoisseurs even today.
Schedule of Events
Monroe Cheese Days promises a variety of activities and entertainment for all ages. On Saturday, at 2 pm, you can head to the Martha Bernet Main Stage for the World's Biggest Polka Dance. In the Hospitality Tent, visitors can enjoy a range of activities and refreshments throughout the day. Kid's Street offers plenty of fun stuff for children, including interactive games and activities. Additionally, don't miss the Comedy & Variety Show with Jason the Juggler, who will delight audiences with his juggling and comedy acts. With so much to see and do, Monroe Cheese Days is sure to be a memorable event for the entire family.
Entertainment
This three-day celebration features a lot of fun and entertainment. In addition to different cheese tents and food stalls where you can please your stomach, the festival offers an array of activities. Enjoy live music to dance your socks off, a carnival, and a street dance that goes on till midnight. Monroe Cheese Days also boasts two wonderful parades: the Cheese Days Children’s Parade on Friday at 5 pm, with the lineup starting at 4:15 pm by Monroe Middle School, and the Swiss Colony Cheese Days Parade on Sunday at 12:30 pm. Additionally, the event showcases the National Historic Cheesemaking Center, where you can learn about the rich history of cheesemaking.
Contests
Green County children aged 6 to 12 can participate in the Prince and Princess Contest, scheduled for Saturday, June 8. Additionally, don't miss the Cow Milking Contest on Saturday, where attendees can test their skills. For convenient transportation, hop aboard the MOO SHUTTLE, running continuously from near the Post Office to the Fairgrounds from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. On Saturday, kick off the morning with the Cheese Days Chase, featuring a Kid's Race at 8:30 am, followed by a 5k/10k and a 2-mile Fun Walk at 9 am.
History of Monroe Cheese Days
In 1914, Cheese Days was conceived with the idea that if a small town in Illinois could celebrate sauerkraut, then Monroe could certainly celebrate cheese. A group of local businessmen quickly organized the event in just nineteen days. They drove a roadster through Monroe to spread the word, with a hand-lettered sign on the vehicle proudly proclaiming, "FIRST CHEESE DAY COMMITTEE 1914 – WE STARTED SOMETHING!" And indeed, they did, launching a tradition that continues to thrive today.
