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The third annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival will be held at Shelburne Farms on Sunday, July 24.

The festival  is a celebration of Vermont’s diverse community of cheesemakers. This year’s event also will bring in the best of Vermont’s wineries and breweries as well as a broad selection of artisan food producers, with a focus on locally raised meats and other traditional accompaniments to the cheese board.

The participating cheesemakers will offer more than100 different cheeses to sample and purchase. In addition, there will be cheesemaking and cooking demonstrations. Highlights include a Vermont Wine Tasting Panel led by Sam Gugino of Wine Spectator and Chef Sean Buchanan; a seminar on Vermont meats with Matt Jennings, chef owner of Farmstead; and a panel dedicated to Vermont’s world-renowned cheddars, led by Michael Colemeco, host of “Food Talk.”

Cheese enthusiasts interested in expanding their Vermont experience may participate in a special tasting dinner at the Inn at Shelburne Farms or by visiting one the creameries along the Vermont Cheese Trail. On Saturday, July 23, the creameries will be open for tours, demonstrations and tastings. Creamery owners will take guests behind the scenes, from pasture to table, to meet the animals, take a peek inside an aging cave and try their hands in the cheesemaking process.

The festival is presented by Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery and the Vermont Cheese Council, along with sponsors such as Cabot Cheese, Grafton Village Cheese Co., Shelburne Farms and Ben & Jerry’s.

Tickets are available at the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival website, www.vtcheesefest.com.