WATONGA – For 50 years, the Watonga Cheese Festival has brought people together to celebrate great food, small-town hospitality, and a whole lot of cheese. This year marks the festival's golden anniversary, and organizers are inviting cooks of all ages to help make history by participating in the 2026 Watonga Cheese Festival Food Contest on Saturday, October 10.
Think back to those family gatherings where a cheesy casserole disappeared before everyone made it through the serving line. Remember Grandma's famous cheese bread, Aunt Mary's secret macaroni recipe, or the dessert everyone hoped would show up at every holiday dinner? The Cheese Food Contest is the perfect opportunity to dust off those treasured recipes, create new family memories, and share a favorite dish with the community.
After all, some traditions are simply too good to let melt away.
Whether you're a seasoned home cook, an aspiring young baker, or just someone who firmly believes that cheese makes everything better, organizers encourage you to enter. From gooey main dishes to savory snacks and decadent desserts, the contest celebrates all the delicious ways cheese brings people together.
Contest Information The Cheese Food Contest will be held at Watonga City Hall on Main Street.
Both the Senior Division (18 years and older) and Junior Division (under 18) will have entry check-in from 8 - 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, with judging beginning at 10 a.m.
Contest Rules The rules are the same for both divisions: The contest is open to anyone wishing to enter.
Each entry must contain at least 3 ounces (approximately 1 cup) of cheese or cheese products.
•Exhibits should be at least one-half recipe of the dish and attractively presented.
•Each exhibit must be accompanied by the recipe. Please type or print clearly on a card. Name and division should be listed on the back of the recipe card.
•All exhibits should be covered with clear plastic wrap for display and judging.
•One entry per category or class.
•Exhibitors not adhering to contest rules will forfeit premiums.
•Entries must be in place by 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and will be released no earlier than 4 p.m.
•All entries must be picked up by 5 p.m. or they will be discarded.
Categories Recipes may be entered in the following classes:
•Cheese Main Dish
•Vegetables
•Bread
•Desserts
•Cheese Snacks
•Salads and Salad Dressings Cash awards and ribbons will be awarded to 1st through 5th place winners in each class. The Blaine County OHCE will also award Grand Champion and Reserve Champion ribbons in both the Junior and Senior divisions.
Help Celebrate 50 Years The Watonga Cheese Festival has created countless memories over the past five decades, from family recipes and friendly competition to laughter shared around tables filled with homemade food. As the festival celebrates its 50th anniversary, organizers hope to see record participation in the food contest and continue a tradition that has made Watonga famous across Oklahoma.
So, get out that recipe card stained with years of love, gather the ingredients, and bring your best cheese creation to town. Fifty years only comes around once, and that's something worth celebrating.
For more information about the cheese food contest, contact the OSU Extension Office at 580623-5195.
OSU is an EEO/EVerify Employer. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact Blaine County OSU Extension at (501) 623-5195 at least two weeks prior to the event.