{"id":806,"date":"2026-06-26T09:38:58","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T13:38:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/?page_id=806"},"modified":"2026-08-27T13:13:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T17:13:36","slug":"about-programming","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/?page_id=806","title":{"rendered":"Programming"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"587\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-826 \" src=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-1-300x200.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"566\" height=\"377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-1-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-1-272x182.png 272w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-1.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"588\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-824 \" src=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8-300x200.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"566\" height=\"377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8-272x182.png 272w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"589\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-822 \" src=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6-300x200.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"569\" height=\"379\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6-272x182.png 272w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 569px) 100vw, 569px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"590\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-823 \" src=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/7-300x200.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"566\" height=\"377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/7-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/7-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/7-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/7-272x182.png 272w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/7.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"pl-54\" class=\"panel-layout\">\r\n<div id=\"pg-54-0\" class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\">\r\n<div id=\"pgc-54-0-0\" class=\"panel-grid-cell\" data-weight=\"1\">\r\n<div id=\"panel-54-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" data-style=\"{&quot;background_image_attachment&quot;:false,&quot;background_display&quot;:&quot;tile&quot;,&quot;background_image_size&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;background_image_opacity&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;border_thickness&quot;:&quot;1px&quot;}\">\r\n<div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\r\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The Maine Cheese Festival is much more than a day of shopping\u2014it&#8217;s an immersive celebration of Maine&#8217;s vibrant cheesemaking community.<\/strong><\/div>\r\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n<p>Throughout the day, enjoy a carefully curated selection of Maine food trucks alongside opportunities to sample and purchase Maine craft beverages\u2014perfect for discovering your next favorite pairing.<\/p>\r\n<p>Every ticket includes an insulated festival goody bag with a reusable gel pack, making it easy to keep your cheese purchases fresh while you explore.<\/p>\r\n<p>Festival entertainment features live performances by acclaimed Maine singer-songwriters <strong>Sigrid Sibley<\/strong> (11am &#8211; 1pm), <strong>Rough Sawn band<\/strong> (1-3pm), as well as a performance from <strong>Jud Caswell <\/strong>(3-5pm)\u00a0providing the perfect soundtrack for a day celebrating Maine&#8217;s food, farms, and makers.<br \/><br \/>Explore a full schedule of educational demonstrations and interactive presentations, including:<\/p>\r\n<ul data-spread=\"false\">\r\n<li><strong><b>11:30 AM (30 mins)<\/b> Fresh Ricotta: A Live Cheesemaking Demo<\/strong> with Jean Koons, Maine Cheese Guild President, featuring a step-by-step demonstration of crafting fresh ricotta and tips for making it at home.<br \/><br \/><\/li>\r\n<li><strong><b>12:15 PM <\/b>(30 &#8211; 40 mins) Melted Magic: A Maine Fondue Experience<\/strong>, showcasing how to create rich, flavorful fondue using Lakin\u2019s Gorges Cheese.<em> Presented by Allison Lakin of East Forty Farm and Lakin\u2019s Gorges Cheese.<br \/><br \/><\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><strong><b>1:00 PM\u00a0 <\/b>(30 mins)The Great Maine Cheese Swap<\/strong>, a fun discussion comparing iconic international cheeses with exceptional Maine-made alternatives that may become your new favorites.<br \/><br \/><\/li>\r\n<li><strong><b>1:45 PM (30 mins) <\/b><\/strong><strong>Fresh Ricotta: A Live Cheesemaking Demo<\/strong> with Jean Koons, Maine Cheese Guild President, featuring a step-by-step demonstration of crafting fresh ricotta and tips for making it at home.<br \/><br \/><\/li>\r\n<li><strong><b>2:30 PM (45 mins)<\/b> What Does It Take to Have a Creamery in Maine?<\/strong> An open conversation with Maine cheesemakers about starting and operating a creamery, caring for animals, producing artisan cheese, and building a successful farm business. <em>Moderated by Holly Aker, <span class=\"a254b0c7 _53899e61 c698a394\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-testid=\"expandable-text-box\">founder of Aker Strategy and Local Goods Gathered featuring Fuzzy Udder Creamery and Oaklands Farm.\u00a0<br \/><\/span><\/em><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Enjoy the limited-ticket <strong>Unexpected Pairings<\/strong> <strong>Tasting Experience<\/strong> at 3:30 p.m. then celebrate with the announcement of the <strong>2026 Maine Cheese Competition<\/strong> winners.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-938 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20250915_130840667_iOS-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"175\" height=\"233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20250915_130840667_iOS-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20250915_130840667_iOS-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20250915_130840667_iOS-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20250915_130840667_iOS.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 175px) 100vw, 175px\" \/>Families will enjoy the <strong>Children&#8217;s Pavilion<\/strong>\u00a0with the<b> Maine Dairy Promotion Board. <\/b>With the presentation,<strong> &#8220;Cows\u2019 Superpower&#8221;,<\/strong> a fascinating look at the science, care, and the farm-to-table journey behind every glass of milk and bite of cheese. Plus a popular <strong>LIVE CALVES EXHIBIT.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\">\r\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-956 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_8446-300x230.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"228\" height=\"175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_8446-300x230.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_8446-1024x785.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_8446-768x589.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_8446-1536x1178.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_8446-2048x1571.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 228px) 100vw, 228px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>At <strong>12:30pm<\/strong>, join farmer and author, <span class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-copy-service-computed-style=\"font-family: Google Sans, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(0, 29, 53);\"><span data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-copy-service-computed-style=\"font-family: Google Sans, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(0, 29, 53);\"><span class=\"\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"c\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiOqfTBpMGWAxUi1fACHZ3NCnkQ0fERegoIAggACAAIBxAC\" data-copy-service-computed-style=\"font-family: Google Sans, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(0, 29, 53);\">Hope Hall<\/span><\/span> co-owner of <\/span><span class=\"iNqyIf\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-copy-service-computed-style=\"font-family: Google Sans, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(0, 29, 53);\"><span id=\"\" class=\"jAOkJc\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"c\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiOqfTBpMGWAxUi1fACHZ3NCnkQqdYPegoIAggACAAIBxAD\" data-sfc-inited=\"2\" data-copy-service-computed-style=\"font-family: Google Sans, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(0, 29, 53);\">Sunflower Farm Creamery<\/span><\/span> to read aloud her charming children&#8217;s books &#8216;Midnight Tea Party&#8217; and &#8216;Sweet Pea is Free&#8217;.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Whether you&#8217;re meeting Maine&#8217;s cheesemakers, sampling award-winning cheeses, learning new culinary skills, discovering local beverages, or simply enjoying a memorable day with family and friends, the Maine Cheese Festival delivers an unforgettable celebration of Maine&#8217;s vibrant cheese community.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.festivalpro.com\/form\/F7D55B5DBEDA8DC409BA\/0\"><strong>BUY MY 2026 MAINE CHEESE FESTIVAL TICKETS &amp; MORE!<\/strong><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.festivalpro.com\/form\/F7D55B5DBEDA8DC409BA\/0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-787 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-300x254.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-300x254.png 300w, https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled.png 398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; The Maine Cheese Festival is much more than a day of shopping\u2014it&#8217;s an immersive celebration of Maine&#8217;s vibrant cheesemaking community. \u00a0 Throughout the day, enjoy a carefully curated selection of Maine food trucks alongside opportunities to sample and purchase Maine craft beverages\u2014perfect for discovering your next favorite pairing. Every ticket includes an insulated festival [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":4,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","hide_page_title":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-806","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/806","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=806"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/806\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":959,"href":"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/806\/revisions\/959"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mainecheesefestival.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=806"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}