A cheesy good time, around a year in the making, took place near Sylvan Lake on June 27.
"Day of the Cheese," hosted by Sylvan Lake's Sylvan Star Cheese Ltd., featured a full day of cheese-themed activities.
The day began on the grounds of the cheese manufacturer at noon. Activities included tricycle time-trials, paper airplane competitions, cheese rolling, Daschund Sprint Championships, and a variety of cheese seminars, where attendees could try and learn about different cheeses.
Proceeds from the various events went to support local community groups, including the Alberta Daschund Rescue and the Central Alberta Women's Emergency Shelter.
"Nothing comes back to me," said Colin Bush, one of the organizers of the event.
In attendance at the show, hosting the cheese seminars, was special guest David Beaudoin, the Cheese Ambassador of Canada.
"When you make cheese, you have to have the best quality of milk," said Beaudoin, during one of the seminars. "You want to get a great product. That's where it starts."
During the first seminar, Beaudin took the roughly 20 people in attendance through half a dozen different cheeses and their complementary pairings, including some cheeses produced by Sylvan Star Cheese.
Cheeses introduced included Labneh, a Middle-Eastern soft cheese produced in Calgary, and Sylvan Star's own Grizzly Gouda.
"Canada is one of the best in the world," said Beaudin, on Canada's cheese production.
The Sylvan Lake Gulls were also on hand, running a couple of activities of their own, benefiting the Gulls Foundation.
According to Bush, the Day of Cheese is something that he hopes to turn into an annual event.
"I'm amazed," said Bush. " We were sold out in the seminar ... there are people doing events everywhere."
According to Bush, he approached the owners of Sylvan Star Cheese wanting to do something cheesy, and he was subsequently introduced to Beaudoin, with whom he hit it off. Following that, a "cheese board" was formed and the planning for the event began.
"We had some pickles on there; some olives," said Bush, with a laugh. "No input whatsoever."
Bush notes that as part of the festivities, awards are planned for the best Canadian cheese. Further, Bush added that Sylvan Star's Old Grizzly cheese is the number four cheese in Canada, something he wanted to highlight about the quality of artisans in the country.
In subsequent editions of "The Day of Cheese," Bush would like to see the event showcase local talent.
"It's about bringing everyone together," said Bush. "That's what it's really all about."
The day concluded with a sold-out VIP experience beginning at 6 p.m., which included a "grate" gift bag and a five-course cheese-inspired dinner.
