Monroe's celebration of cheese

MONROE - On Saturday, September 10, the village of Monroe will host its annual Cheese Festival along Lake Street in the village center on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The event began in 1994 on the village's centennial and features vendor and craft booths, children's entertainment, historic tours and a cooking contest. A special contest pertaining to the festival's fictional characters, Chloe and Captain Lee DerKranz, will offer both a portable DVD and portable MP3 player to contest winners. The festival commemorates Monroe's history of being the original home of both Velveeta and Liederkranz cheese. The arrival of the railroad to Monroe in 1841 enabled farmers to inexpensively ship goods to New York City, encouraging the growth of the local dairy business and creameries around the Mill Pond. The pond also provided a source of ice to ensure freshness. The Monroe Cheese Company was started in 1873 where Emil Frey created both Velveeta and Liederkranz cheese. Due to diminishing milk supplies, the Monroe Cheese Company moved to Van Wert, Ohio, in 1926. In 1927, the Velveeta Cheese Company was purchased by Kraft. And the rest, as the cliche goes, is history.