(photo courtesy of Seattle Cheese Festival)

For a fourth year the Seattle Cheese Festival wil be running from Friday, May 16th through Sunday, May 18th fora mouth-watering celebration that just gets better every year. Visitors will be able to sample over 250 artisanal cheeses crafted both locally and internationally. The cheese tastings take place along the beautiful cobblestone streets of Pike Place Market in the heart of the city.

The three-day event offers the general public and the restaurant trade the chance to taste, celebrate and learn more about artisanal cheese through the Cheese Concourse, cooking demonstrations, and informative seminars. Then there's the Wine (and Beer) Garden where wines are specially selected to pair well with the artisanal cheeses on display. Visitors can sample up to five wines and the Pike Brewing Company will pour craft beers which are brewed on the premise at .Pike Place Market. The Truckle Relay will invite teams to get out their paddles and propel 18-pound barrel-shaped wheels of cheese along the cobblestone streets.

Fun for Kids

This year the Festival will be adding the Children's Costume Contest and Parade. Kids are invited to create a costume for a "milk animals" parade that will take place on the morning of Saturday, May 17th. Costumes must have a cow, goat, sheep or cheese theme. The most creative costume wins a prize. (There will be a few cow and sheep hats available for kids who forget their costumes that day.)

Plenty for the Thinking Foodie to Enjoy

The Festival is a foodies delight, but you don't have to be a gourmet to have a great time. There will be Chef Demos by some of Seattle's best chefs, inspired to create great dishes with cheese you can prepare at home after the Festival. Catch the Fresh Mozzarella Makking Demonstration that will take place several times on Saturday and Sunday. Seminars and cheese-themed cooking classes will be available for adventerous home cooks, including Northwest Terroir, presented by Jeffrey Roberts, author of the recently published "The Atlas of American Artisan Cheese." Foodies with a competitive spirit can enter the Grilled Cheese recipe conest. The top 10 finalists will have their recipes featured on the Seattle Cheese Festival web site.

(photo courtesy of Seattle Cheese Festival)

The Festival was the brainchild of DeLaurenti Specialty Food & Wine, which has served Seattle residents and visitors for close to 60 years. DeLaurenti was awarded the Gourmet News Retail Leadership Award in 2005 for establishing the Seattle Cheese Festival. DeLaurenti owner Pat McCarthy wanted to bring their renowned cheese counter to the street and offer free tastings. Mission accomplished !

To get more info, including schedules, event details, parking & directions, check the Festival's official web site: Seattle Cheese Festival