Schedule

11:00 am:  Early Session Opens

11:00 am: Vendor booths and Food Trucks open.

11:00 am: Beer & Wine Garden opens and Tasting Tickets sales begin

11:15 am — Welcoming Remarks:
Maine Cheese Guild Executive Director Ron Dyer
11:00 am – 2:00 pm — Main Stage Music: Seth Gallant & Rough Sawn
Seth Gallant is a songwriter and barn builder from Waterford, Maine. Rough Sawn is a band of farmers and carpenters who came together in 2015 to play at farmers markets and other local venues. Alongside Seth’s original songs about life in Maine, Rough Sawn shares some of their favorite classic country, Americana and folk songs.

11:00 am – 2:00 pm — Beer & Wine Garden  Music: Shane McNear
A local musician born and raised in Maine, Shane has been playing at venues across the state for the last 15 years covering the 90’s, classic rock, and singer/songwriters. He also writes his own music and has recorded an album.

11:15 am – 11:45 am — Education Tent:

Sponsored by Quality Containers of New England

"Cheesemaking in Maine: A Timeless Craft"

Join Eric Rector, owner and cheesemaker of Monroe Cheese Studio and unofficial Maine Cheese Guild Historian, for a journey through the history of cheesemaking in Maine.  As a founding member of the Guild in 2003, Eric has a keen interest in keeping the craft of cheesemaking alive in Maine. He has served on the Board of Directors for over 15 years and as a Past President. He routinely teaches cheesemaking classes around the state. His presentation is compelling  from a historical perspective and will pique your interest in modern day cheesemaking in Maine. Speaker Bio

12:00 pm – 12:30 pm — Education Tent:

Sponsored by Quality Containers of New England

A Walk Through the Cheese Counter:

Insights from behind the case, a tasting in 4 parts.

Have you ever walked into a store and been overwhelmed at the sheer number of options in the cheese case? Feel lost and confused? Join Brain Schlatter as he leads attendees through choosing cheese from the case. As an experienced cheesemaker, retailer and resident subject matter expert at Fromagex, Brian is an ideal guide to help you discover cheeses: Fresh Cheeses, Soft Ripened Cheeses, Firm Cheeses and the Blues. Brian will give you tips on choosing cheese from the case for your next Maine cheese board!  Speaker Bio

12:45 pm – 1:30 pm — Education Tent:

Sponsored by Quality Containers of New England

Homemade Cheese: Ricotta

One of the most versatile cheeses is ricotta- it can be used for savory or sweet dishes, main courses or small plate. Luckily, it is easy to make at home and uses few tools! Jean Koons from Kennebec Cheesery will show you how to make this delectable cheese with easy to source ingredients and tools you are likely to already have in the kitchen. Speaker Bio

2:00 pm — Early Session Closing: Early Session Attendees depart

3:00 pm: Late Session Opens

3:00 pm: Vendor Booths and Food Trucks open

3:00 pm: Beer & Wine Garden opens and Tasting Tickets sales begin

3:15 pm — Welcoming Remarks:

Maine Cheese Guild Executive Director Ron Dyer

3:00 pm – 6:00 pm — Main Stage Music: Suzie & the Smelts

This 6 piece band keeps the party rocking with a fun variety of rock, funk and blues. The Smelts engage the audience with energy and humour. The Smelts are Susan Bruce-vocals, Greg Williams-guitar and vocals, Brian Richmond sax, guitar and vocals, Peter Re-keyboards and vocals, Arthur Leblanc-bass, Al Prysunka-drums.

3:00 pm – 6:00 pm — Beer & Wine Garden  Music: Christine Poulson
Local, central Maine musician, Christine Poulson has been performing in the Augusta-Hallowell area for many years.   Chris will be joined by Pittsfield resident, and percussionist, Ed Arnold, and will be performing easy listening acoustic folk and country tunes you’ll be sure to remember.

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm — Education Tent:

Sponsored by Quality Containers of New England

"Simple Seasonal Recipes to Complement your Maine Cheese Board"

Rob Dumas will lead participants through developing the production of some delicious condiments to complement Maine cheeses. Rob is Food Science Innovation Coordinator and Facility Manager for the School of Food and Agriculture based at UMaine’s Orono campus. Speaker Bio.  Rob will be joined by Beth Calder

This is a live demonstration of how the products are produced and assemble on a Maine cheese board. Learn how to pair cheeses with the condiments and try some of the things he will demonstrate

including:

Seasonal fruit chutney

Moustarda

Quick Pickled vegetables

Infused Honey

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm — Education Tent:

Sponsored by Quality Containers of New England

We all know the answer to most problems is cheese…

But do we really know all the ways cheese can be a solution?

Here in Maine the promise and potential of dairy cows is being unlocked through partnership and cooperation. Peaks Renewables (Peaks) is working with  six Maine-based, family-owned dairy farms
to generate homegrown renewable natural gas at a facility located at Flood Brother’s Farm in Clinton, Maine Join Dairy Farmer and Cheese Lover Jenni Tilton-Flood to learn more about this project and the sustainable stewardship efforts of dairy farms to provide solutions for a changing world, while continuing to ensure the start of delicious cheese and sustainable nutrition. Speaker Bio

5:00 pm — Maine Stage: Maine Cheese Awards Ceremony

Join us to celebrate the best of Maine cheese as the 2022 Maine Cheese Awards winners are announced at this 2nd annual event.

6:00 Festival Closing

Thank You to all who took part! We look forward to seeing you in 2023.

Date: September 11, 2022 at 11:00am

Venue: Manson Park

Address: 51 Peltoma Ave,,Pittsfield, ME, 04967

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