Attendees at South by Southwest are in for a tasty affair brought to them exclusively by Wisconsin’s dairy farmers — and it’s the stuff of every cheese-lovers’ dreams.
The state’s 150-year-old cheesemaking tradition is a hit at the annual tech and music conference, where Wisconsin Cheese has created a cheesy state fair called “Cheeselandia.”
The whimsical cheese lounge features a Ferris Wheel of award-winning cheeses; thousands of pounds of assorted artisan cheeses; three 7-liter gourmet fondues; and other fair favorites like fried cheese curds.
And as if having a near-unlimited array of cheeses to consume wasn’t enough, there’s also boozy snow cones up for grabs to wash it all down.
Wisconsin Cheese says the full-flavored adventure is specifically designed for social sharing, and includes both a mix of online and offline experiences. In addition to foodstuffs, the cheese lounge will feature a host of entertainment — including a magician and a juggler — all with the hopes of inspiring attendees to curate the perfect picture.
Attendees also have access to digital experience like augmented reality and a cheese matchmaker to guide them through the cheese paradise.
Tweets highlighting the #SXSWisconsin event rolled in following the opening of “Cheeselandia” at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin. The Wisconsin wonderland wrapped up March 13.
BIG THANKS goes to @Explorecheese for supplying us with the perfect slices and cheeseboard display for ALL our award-winning cheeses at #SXSWisconsin! ?
*Pro Tip: One perk of becoming a @Cheeselandia_ Party Host is getting your very own collection of Boska knives and board! ?* pic.twitter.com/9FnhZXPq0t
— Wisconsin Cheese (@WisconsinCheese) March 14, 2019
The hottest ticket at #sxsw is a Wisconsin cheese exhibit pic.twitter.com/UkfnV2bMe3
— Tom Barclay (@mrtommyb) March 13, 2019
This must be the happiest place on Earth #Cheeselandia #SxSW pic.twitter.com/PrW2mxSzsg
— Elisa Quintana (@elsisrad) March 13, 2019
“We wanted to give SXSW attendees a festive place to escape and recharge where they can not only try a variety of incredible cheeses but also experience the magic of Wisconsin,” said Suzanne Fanning, chief marketing office for Wisconsin Cheese. “What’s more fun than a state fair? How about a state fair with all-you-can-eat-cheese?”
Last year’s cheese lounge featured a 3D printed barn and captured the title for the “World’s Largest Cheeseboard” in the Guinness Book of World Records. The SXSW event is co-sponsored by Wisconsin Cheese and the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
Cheese isn't the only thing Wisconsin brought to Austin for SXSW. Milwaukee startup SteamChain was one of 50 finalists in the SXSW Pitch competition. Competing in the blockchain category, the startup offers cloud-based machine data for manufacturing and industrial companies. Gener8tor's music accelerator Backline also held an event at SXSW.
