It takes four men to cut the 300 pounds of hard, orange sharp tasting cheddar wheel during the Annual Amish Country Cheese Festival in Arthur from Sept. 1 – 3.

With more than 600 pounds of cheddar cheese, there are more than enough to go around to the average of 35,000 to 50,000 people who attend the event.

The festival offers live entertainment, food and craft vendors, pony rides, tractor pulls, games and other activities.

Cheese related events include the National Cheese Curling Contest and Cheese Eating Contest. Winners receive the cheese eating champion title and a t-shirt.

Theresa Binion, director of the Arthur Visitor Center, said she is excited for the festival and showcasing her town.

“The festival makes people aware of Arthur and what we’re all about,” she said. “You don’t have to buy anything. There’s free music and people develop a bonding between new friends and older ones.”

The Arthur Cheese Factory first started the festival in 1971, and even though the factory was torn down the weekend event has been kept a tradition.

Although Rick Lewandowski, senior accounting major, said he has never attended the festival, he is looking forward to it this year.

“It gives the Amish community a chance to show students they are not the horse and buggy, candle-burning stereotype, but they are modern people too,” he said. “Although I’m a pepper jack cheese kind of guy, it’s cool how the cheese gets cut from a large wheel.”

Lewandowski said he thinks students should attend the festival because it broadens their horizon on different communities they may not be aware of.

“Students should go to the festival because it’s a good experience and opens your eyes to different cultures,” Lewandowski said. “It’s a good transition from summer to fall.”

Lewandowski said the festival is also unique to those who live in larger cities.

“We’re not used to having stuff like this in Chicago, so it’s nice to see small towns get together,” Lewandowski said. “Also with the large variety of music it shows musician’s true talent instead of lights and show.”

Wilda Land, a Mattoon resident and assistant manager at Wal-Mart, said she enjoys the festival, but because of her busy work schedule is unable to go as much as she’d like to.

“I had someone scout out the festival so when I got off work I knew right where to go,” she said. “I especially like the crafts.”

Land said she purchased a birdhouse from the festival a couple years ago that she often gets compliments on.

“I really like all the different vendors in one spot,” she said. “It’s a great way to do your shopping and because of the variety everyone can get something they like.”

For more information about the Amish Country Cheese Festival go to the event calendar in www.amishcountryofcentralil.com