Indiana’s cheesiest showdown is back — and Fort Wayne’s taste buds are ready for round two.

The beloved Mac & Cheese Festival is rolling back into Fort Wayne this Saturday, and fans of comfort food are already lining up — well, mentally, at least. From 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Parkview Field, festivalgoers can expect a carb-loaded, cheese-slicked celebration that’s half culinary competition, half nostalgia trip, and all good vibes.

Following last year’s surprise success, organizers say they’ve upped the ante for the 2025 edition. More vendors. More cheese styles. More stretchy cheese pulls. And maybe — just maybe — fewer regrets.

What’s on the Menu? Everything, as Long as It’s Cheesy

If you’re imagining just a plastic bowl of Kraft and calling it a day — think again. This isn’t a boxed dinner appreciation party. The Mac & Cheese Festival in Fort Wayne brings together restaurants, chefs, and local eateries from across the state to show off their cheesiest, creamiest, and most imaginative takes on the iconic dish.

Last year, entries ranged from classic baked recipes to borderline insane creations like:

• Buffalo chicken mac in a waffle cone

• Smoked gouda and brisket mac topped with pickled onions

• Jalapeño mac bombs with spicy aioli drizzle

Expect even more culinary curveballs this time around.

“I had no idea mac and cheese could taste like this,” said Amelia, who attended the inaugural fest in 2024. “One of them had crab in it. I don’t even like crab, but it worked!”

Vendors compete not just for bragging rights, but for the coveted People’s Choice Award, voted on by attendees. Last year’s champion? A truffle mac from a small café in Goshen that reportedly ran out by 6 p.m.

A Cheesy Day Out — But It’s Not Just About Eating

Sure, the food is front and center, but the festival isn’t only about stuffing your face. Parkview Field, typically home to the TinCaps baseball team, transforms into a full-blown entertainment space for families, friends, and the city’s curious eaters.

It’s a place to hang out, wander, and yes, pose with oversized cheese props.

Here’s what else is going down on Saturday:

• Live music from local bands throughout the day

• Kids’ play zone with cheese-themed games (think: macaroni ring toss)

• Beer garden featuring Indiana craft brews

• VIP lounge with early access, shaded seating, and exclusive dishes

• Voting booths for attendees to crown the Mac Master of 2025

You’ll find food stalls scattered across the outfield concourse, each one offering samples or full plates, depending on your ticket level. Oh, and lactose intolerance? Let’s just say you might want to sit this one out or bring reinforcements.

Ticket Info and Entry Options

Planning to go? You’ve got choices. Tickets are still available on the festival’s website and at the gate (though organizers warn they could sell out by Saturday morning). Entry tiers are simple:

Lines can get long — especially after 4 p.m. — so early arrival is recommended. VIP gates open at 2 p.m.

Local Vendors Get a Cheesy Spotlight

For small businesses and regional restaurants, the Mac & Cheese Festival is more than just a fun event. It’s a chance to show off what they do best in front of a massive crowd.

“We sold out in three hours last year,” said Jordan, the chef behind Mad Grater Kitchen. “It was exhausting but so worth it. We got tons of new customers just from this one day.”

Several newcomers are joining the lineup this year, including Fort Wayne food trucks, Lafayette bistros, and even a high school culinary club out of Kokomo — yes, they’re competing too.

Many of these vendors use the festival to test limited-run recipes or promote new openings. For fans of local flavor, it’s an unbeatable chance to sample the region’s best without the drive.

What the Crowd Is Buzzing About

Scroll through local Facebook groups and community threads this week, and it’s clear — Fort Wayne is hungry.

People are sharing tips, predictions, and yes, even strategy guides. One user recommended “starting counter-clockwise to avoid the early rush at the truffle booth.” Another posted their 2024 voting sheet with proud annotations: “This one made me cry (in a good way).”

And with weather forecasts showing only a slight chance of a stray shower — the mood is optimistic.

“There’s just something joyful about watching people bond over a bowl of mac,” said Maria, a local mom who plans to bring her two kids. “Even if it’s cheesy. Especially because it’s cheesy.”

Beyond the Comfort Food: Why Events Like This Matter

It’s easy to dismiss the Mac & Cheese Festival as just another food event. But organizers see it differently. They say it represents a broader push to make Fort Wayne a destination for quirky, high-energy experiences.

“We want Fort Wayne to be known for more than its zip code,” said a spokesperson for the festival. “This is about celebrating community — and having fun while doing it.”

Visit Fort Wayne, the city’s tourism group, has backed events like this as part of its broader strategy to increase tourism, foot traffic, and local pride. Parkview Field, already a summer hub, is a fitting backdrop for that vision.

For many residents, though, it’s more personal.

“It’s just nice to have something that feels purely fun,” said Dave, a retired postal worker who plans to come with his wife and grandkids. “It’s not complicated. You show up, eat something ridiculous, and leave full and happy.”

Sounds like a solid plan.