Mac & Cheese Festival

January 18, 2025 @ 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Join us for the Annual Mac & Cheese Festival on January 18, 2025! The Mac & Cheese Festival celebrates your favorite childhood dish by featuring variations carefully prepared by local chefs who will be competing for the Golden Noodle Award! Attendees will enjoy a comfort-food-filled day tasting different cheesy dishes with perfect craft beer pairings and get to vote for their favorite dish to help award the People’s Choice Trophy! BRIE-lieve us, tickets will sell out – get yours now just in QUESO!

Event requires walking short distances outdoors from venue to venue. All sites are ADA accessible.

PURCHASE TICKETS

It’s GOUDA news

1.) Buy Tickets! Select your starting package and check-in time frame. From there, you can opt to purchase additional mac or beer tastings individually. All gourmet mac tasters are a 1/4 cup serving.

Lunch Session: Check-in time frame 11 am - 1 pm. Serving starts at Noon.
Dinner Session: Check-in time frame 2 pm - 4 pm.
This is just your check-in time frame. Serving ends at 6 pm.

2) Show Up! Check in at your selected time frame at the Plaza Shops (210 E. Sherman Ave.) to receive your tasting passport, tickets, and glassware (if applicable). If you selected the Mac Daddy package, you will check in at the Resort and bypass the lines!

3) Let's Eat! Travel from site to site indulging in gourmet mac and craft beer! Some past fan favorites include Mac & Cheese Tacos, Mac & Cheese waffle cones and even Cheesy Gelato!! Just exchange a ticket for a sample and you will be in Mac & Cheese heaven! Don't forget to vote for your favorite to help award the Peoples' Choice Noodle!

Choose your Cheese

Tickets are available for purchase HERE!

ANYTIME KIDDIE MAC - $20 (children 12 years & under)
- 4 Mac & Cheese Tasters
- Check-in anytime between 11 AM - 4 PM

MAC PACK - Dinner Session: $30 | Lunch Session $35
- 6 Mac & Cheese Tasters

MAC & BEER - Dinner Session $40 | Lunch Session $45 (21+)
- 8 (4 oz.) Beer Tastings
- 6 Mac & Cheese Tasters
- Commemorative Pint Glass

ANYTIME VIP MAC & BEER - $75 (21+)
- 8 (4 oz.) Beer Tastings
- 8 Mac & Cheese Tasters
- Access to 3 VIP only Host Sites
- VIP Swag
- Commemorative Pint Glass
- Check-in anytime between 11 AM - 4 PM

MAC DADDY - BOOK HERE
- Overnight accommodations at The Coeur d'Alene Resort (check-in at the Resort)
- Two "Mac & Beer" Tickets
- 8 (4 oz.) Beer Tastings
- 6 Mac & Cheese Tasters
- Commemorative Pint Glass

**All tasters must be consumed on-site. To-go boxes are prohibited. Packages may not be shared between multiple people. Must be 21 years or older to purchase Mac & Beer Package & consume alcohol. Tickets are available while supplies last. Must purchase a package with a wristband to taste Mac. **

2025 Tasting Locations Coming Soon!

Become a participating chef!

We are looking for local chefs that share our love for Mac & Cheese to join the 8th Annual Downtown Coeur d’Alene's Mac & Cheese Festival, from 12 pm – 6 pm on January 18, 2025. This is a fun opportunity to advertise your restaurant and participate in a friendly competition amongst regional chefs. This one-day event plays host to an estimated 2,000 attendees.

The Golden Noodle Award will go to the Best Mac & Cheese dish determined by a panel of judges. A rubric will be provided to chefs upon application approval. Attendees will be awarded the People’s Choice Award. If you think your Mac & Cheese has what it takes to bring home the Golden Noodle, complete the application HERE! Chef application spaces are limited.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association with any questions at 208-415-0116 or info@cdadowntown.com!

The Mac & Cheese Festival celebrates your favorite childhood dish by featuring variations carefully prepared by local chefs who will be competing for the coveted Golden Noodle Award, as well as the fans' favorite People’s Choice Trophy! Judges will be participating during the event starting at noon and ending approximately at 5 pm.

2025 Mac & Cheese Festival Judging Panel coming SOON!

**Join the Team – It’s Pasta-tively Amazing!**

We’re mac-ing a call for extra hands to help out! Join our volunteer team and become part of The Downtown Coeur d’Alene Association family! Our events run on the generosity of volunteers! Take this opportu-cheese to connect with your community and make a real impact. Plus, there are some grate perks waiting for you!

Register TODAY!

Contact the Downtown Association via email - info@cdadowntown.com or phone 208-415-0116 for inquiries.

The Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association is a 501C6 non-profit that was established in 1990 to provide services within the Business Improvement District. The DTA is a downtown management agency that maintains the physical appearance and quality of the downtown corridor, supports small businesses, and hosts monthly events creating a sense of place for the community.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Want to support one of Coeur d'Alene's largest community events and get your brand in front of hundreds of people? The Mac & Cheese Festival brings people from all over the United States to the downtown core to celebrate that classic dish! Contact the Downtown Association via email - info@cdadowntown.com or phone 208-415-0116 for inquiries.

The Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association is a 501C6 non-profit that was established in 1990 to provide services within the Business Improvement District. The DTA is a downtown management agency that maintains the physical appearance and quality of the downtown corridor, supports small business, and hosts monthly events creating a sense of place for the community.

Accommodations at the Coeur d'Alene Resort Mac Daddy Package available HERE

Mac & Cheese Dinner Cruise: On Friday, January 17, Indulge in the perfect blend of delectable mac and stunning lakeside scenery aboard our Mac & Cheese Dinner Cruises! Experience the finest local brews from Vantage Point Brewing paired with exquisite chef-curated mac & cheese creations. This specialty cruise is a gooey-good time! For more information, click HERE!