Thousands attend Cheese Festival

MONROE — Queso, fromage, ser or käse…anyway you say it, cheese was the name-of-the-day last Saturday at the 16th annual Cheese Festival in Monroe. Thousands enjoyed the respite from recent rainy weather to mingle in the streets near the village’s ponds to taste an eclectic mix of food from vendors, buy trinkets, listen to music, watch dance demonstrations and gather as a community for an afternoon of fun. The festival culminated with the now annual “Monroe Idol” competition, where participants were judged on their talent. Winners demonstrated that this year’s contest was “The Year of the Song,” with singers taking the top spot in the competition’s three categories. Briana Bene Espinal won in the “Tween” category; Sarah Kyles was the teen winner; and Daniel Rodriguez was the winner in the adult category. The festival pays homage to the former Monroe Cheese Company and the Liederkranz and Velveeta cheeses which were once produced locally. The first festival in 1995 evolved from a community block party the prior year to commemorate the village’s centennial. “I think it went very well,” said event chairman Joe Mancuso “I had a lot more vendors than in the past and they seemed reasonably happy with the crowds.” Mancuso sees the festival becoming an annual family event, noting people tell him they look forward to it every year. Planning for next year’s festival will begin in February/March 2012. “It doesn’t have to be a day where you spend a lot of money,” Mancuso added. “It’s a chance to see people maybe you haven’t seen all year, see the new businesses in town and have a nice afternoon.” - Nancy Kriz