(Asheville, NC – August 27) – Due to the unprecedented challenges resulting from Covid-19 throughout the nation, the 6th Annual Carolina Mountain Cheese Festival, scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2020, has been cancelled.

Katie Moore, Executive Director of the WNC Cheese Trail explains that “planning this festival has been a labor of love for our small staff at the WNC Cheese Trail and a cadre of volunteers, so this is difficult news for our guests and event team.”

The family-friendly festival allowed guests to shop, learn, and taste food from dozens of participating businesses during a one-day event held at Highland Brewing Company. Past year’s events included chef’s competitions, workshops, and cheese pairings – backed by acoustic entertainment and a children’s area with a petting zoo.

“For the past five years, we have been fortunate to showcase local cheese from small farms throughout the Southeast during this annual celebration of cheesemakers and artisan food producers” Moore says.

Even without this year’s festival, the WNC Cheese Trail is dedicated to promoting local food producers and cheesemakers with smaller, curated events throughout western North Carolina. “Local food matters more than ever and we are excited to be connected to so many folks who feel the same” says Adam Jernigan, Chair of the WNC Cheese Trail.

The nonprofit organization encourages fans to visit www.wnccheesetrail.org, and to follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (@wnccheesetrail) to learn more about regional cheesemakers, farms, and upcoming virtual and venue-specific events throughout the year. The Trail is also working on some educational and fun videos that will be posted on the Trail website as well as on the festival website (www.mountaincheesefest.com).