Ellsworth, Wisconsin has one legitimate claim to fame: cheese curds. The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery has been making them since 1910, they're considered the best in the state (a genuinely contested distinction in Wisconsin), and every summer the town turns that reputation into a free festival that draws cheese enthusiasts from across the Midwest.
It's a small-town food festival done right. No corporate sponsors drowning out the main event, no $15 parking, no wristband tiers. Just fresh curds, fried curds, live music at East End Park, and the particular joy of eating cheese curds in the town that arguably invented the format.
What's Actually at the Festival
Cheese curds in every preparation. The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery operates a booth and several food vendors compete with their own versions. Fresh curds are the baseline, but fried curds (battered and deep-fried) are the crowd draw. Expect standard cheddar, white curds, and seasonal or flavored options. If you've never had a truly fresh curd, the squeak when you bite it is real and is the quality indicator locals use.
Live music. Multiple stages with local and regional acts running through both days. The lineup covers a broad range of genres and the park setting keeps the sound manageable.
Craft vendors and local artisans. Standard festival craft market running both days.
Activities: Prior festivals have included a cheese curd eating contest, kids' activities, and various competitions. Check the official schedule closer to June for specific events; the lineup varies year to year.
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery factory store. Even outside festival hours, the creamery sells curds direct from the facility. If you want to take some home (and you should), buy from the factory store for the freshest batch and the best price. Bring a cooler.
Practical Tips
Arrive early on Saturday. Saturday is the bigger day and parking around East End Park fills up by mid-morning. Arriving at 10–10:30 AM gets you in ahead of the peak lunch crowd, which is when vendor lines get long.
Bring cash for food. Most vendors accept cards but a few smaller operations are cash-only, and ATM lines at local gas stations get long on Saturday afternoon.
Wear comfortable shoes. East End Park is a grass event; flat, comfortable footwear is better than anything with a heel.
Check the weather. Wisconsin in late June ranges from ideal to hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms. Check the 7-day forecast before packing and bring sunscreen. Afternoon pop-up storms are possible; a light rain jacket is worth packing.
After the curd eating: Walk around Ellsworth proper. The downtown is small but genuinely charming with a few local shops and the kind of hardware-store-and-diner mix that reminds you smaller Midwest towns still exist. It takes about 30 minutes on foot.
Getting There and Where to Stay
Ellsworth is about 55 miles east of Minneapolis–Saint Paul on US-10. The drive from MSP airport is roughly an hour. There's no practical public transit option; you need a car.
Fly into Minneapolis–Saint Paul (MSP) and pick up a rental there. Compare rental car options to find the best rate for the weekend.
For accommodation: Ellsworth has limited options and they book out for festival weekend. Better strategy:
- Hudson, WI (25 miles west on I-94): Has a solid cluster of chain hotels and is a convenient base.
- River Falls, WI (20 miles east): University town with more dining options.
- Red Wing, MN (25 miles northwest, across the state line): Has charming downtown accommodation and is an easy drive.
Book at least 4–6 weeks out for festival weekend; this is a popular regional event and lodging in the area fills up faster than you'd expect for a town of 4,000 people.
