Held annually at the historic Shelburne Farms, the inaugural festival was held in 1996 when the US Small Business Administration awarded Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery the Small Business Persons of the Year Award for Vermont. Just over a decade later Vermont has evolved into the premium artisanal cheese state with the highest number of cheesemakers per capita. For the past four years, over 40 of our beloved cheesemakers have come 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, 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 is organized and presented by the Vermont Cheese Council.