CHESHIRE, Mass. — The newly formed Cheshire Community Action Team hopes to sharpen community spirits with the first-ever Cheshire Cheese Fest.

 

"We have a lot in this community and especially with the school closing we can't keep our heads down," organizer Justin Kruszyna said. "We need to keep spirits up because there are some great things happening here."

 

The closing of Cheshire Elementary School prompted a group of friends to come together and form the action team, also known as "Cheshire CAT," in hopes of reigniting the community with events that would not only give residents something to do but to put Cheshire on the map.

 

"A few of us got together and we tried to figure out what we could do to spark interest in town," Kruszyna said. "We wanted to try to have a few events not just for residents but to really try to bring in people from our neighboring communities." 

 

To do this, Kruszyna said they harnessed a cornerstone of the Cheshire identity and history: the Cheshire Mammoth Cheese.

 

As the story goes, Elder John Leland in 1802 wanted to do something special for his friend and newly elected President Thomas Jefferson. He called upon the community to come together to help cure a giant cheese wheel.

 

Townspeople converted a cider mill into a giant cheese press and with the help of more than 900 Cheshire cows, a 1,234-pound cheese wheel was created and delivered to the new White House.

 

Kruszyna said he hopes Saturday's event will carry the spirit of the Mammoth Cheese — partly through samples from local cheesemakers Berkshire Blue Cheese and Rolling Rock Farm.

 

Kelly's Package Store of Dalton will also provide cheeses paired with beers and wines as part of the VIP hour. 

 

Xavier Jones, owner of Big Daddy's Cheesesteak, will hold a food presentation.

 

There will also be a beer garden that will feature limited production beers produced exclusively for Cheshire Cheese Fest, and music by acoustic solo artist Jim Witherell.

 

The VIP hour starts at 11 a.m. and tickets cost $40. 

 

The day starts out with the Cheshire Cheesy Kids Fun Run, 5K Run & Walk at about 10 a.m. The 5-kilometer run starts at the cheese press, heads south to Route 8 on the Ashuwilliticook Rail Trail and the doubles back through around the school area.

 

Participants in the walk/run are encouraged to wear their cheesiest gear. Registration is $10/$25 on Saturday morning.

 

Kruszyna said those who may fear a cheese overload can purchase a general admission ticket for $5 and still enjoy food, live entertainment and plenty of vendors.

 

"There will be a bouncy house we have a DJ and live music. We wanted to make sure it's for the entire community," he said. "We have crafts for the kids and some adult games like cornhole, kickball, can jam and other fun outdoor things." 

 

He said the event was put together pretty quickly, and within four weeks it was up in running. He said he expects it to be even bigger next year.

 

Kruszyna has contacted the Massachusetts Cheese Guild and word has reached cheese crafters throughout Massachusetts, Vermont and New York who may be interested in being part of the event next year.  

 

"Hopefully, this year is a good learning experience but we are already planning bigger and better next year," he said. 

 

The festival will be on the Cheshire Elementary School grounds from 11 to 4 p.m. The event will be moved into the school if it rains.

 

More information can be found here.