A favourite amongst sponsors

Various companies have over the years chosen to form a partnership with this popular festival by means of sponsorships. With more than 32 000 visitors and extensive media coverage before the festival, this has become a dream opportunity for sponsors. Four companies have been part of the Cheese Festival family in this way for ten years: Simonsberg Cheese, Ladismith Cheese, Absa and Welmoed (The company of wine people). Certificates of appreciation were handed to them at a special awards ceremony.

Over 35 tons of cheese tasted and bought

“The Cheese Festival contributes to a more informed cheese consumer and over the span of just four days our products are exposed to a wide spectrum of visitors,” says Rian van der Merwe, Marketing Manager of Ladismith Cheese.

Boutique cheese makers loved festival

Peter and Francy Schoeman, from Langbaken Karoo Cheese (Williston) brought their cheese to the festival for the first time: “Our enterprise is fairly new and we’re 700km away from the Cape’s larger food markets, but now it feels as though everyone that loves cheese knows about us,” says Francy, Langbaken’s cheese maker. “It is tremendously satisfying to receive immediate feedback from consumers.”

Fun Galore

Families, kids and all people young at heart had a great time at the SA Cheese Festival. Kids shed their energy on the spongebox jumping castle and ran around with their SPCA doggies. The karaoke performances in the DStv kidzone entertained and surprised onlookers, while parents enjoyed their purchases of the day, listening to live music.