What You Need To Know! 3rd Annual Mac & Cheese Event

Mac and Cheese lovers! Make that Mac and Cheese and entertainment lovers - check this out!

Get ready for all of this and more. If you have had the chance to be with us and experienced the last two years of the Mac & Cheese event, you know how much fun it is it watch the local competition try and WIN the Best Mac & Cheese around.

Here is everything YOU need to know about the 2025 Mac & Cheese Event: 

   *************UPDATE - ENTERTAINMENT!!!

Will Slater from Funatix Events just released info on a "Main Course of Entertainment!"

Mac & Cheese Fest presented by Dakota Community Bank & Trust just added a musical main course to its menu: MoonCats — North Dakota’s acclaimed acoustic trio — will headline this year’s festivities with their signature blend of sing-along originals, American roots instrumentation, and high-energy performance. Will had this to say about MoonCats:

“MoonCats are the perfect band for an event like Mac & Cheese Fest, They’re soulful, playful and bring a feel-good energy that everyone can enjoy.”

 

                The #rd Annual Mac and Cheese is going to be amazing!

• 5 announced vendors: Laughing Sun Brewery, Blarney Stone, Hensley’s Tasty Truck, The Paddle Trap, Udderly Amazing Treats & Eats

• Laughing Sun Brewery was the inaugural Mac & Cheese Fest Champion in 2023, featuring big flavors, smoky surprises and beer-inspired mac creations

• Blarney Stone: bold flavors, rich sauces and pub-style goodness

• Hensley’s Tasty Truck: creative comfort food — and they’re bringing their signature twist on mac & cheese

• The Paddle Trap: riverfront flavors, gourmet twists, fresh ingredients and bold pairings

• Udderly Amazing Treats & Eats: rich, creamy, over-the-top cheesy goodness

3rd Annual Mac & Cheese Fest presented by Dakota Community Bank & Trust on Saturday, May 10th 4-8 PM at the newly renovated Downtown Bismarck Depot parking lot

**** A New Location this year****

The cheesiest showdown of the year is back! The 3rd Annual Mac & Cheese Festival, presented by Dakota Community Bank & Trust - May 10  from 4-8 PM in the newly renovated Downtown Bismarck Depot parking lot. “Mac & Cheese Festival is all about enjoying the best mac & cheese from top local restaurants and food trucks,” said Christine Nelson, President of Funatix Events. “Bismarck is ready for more innovative, family-friendly events that bring the community together, and that’s exactly what we’re creating at the Bismarck Depot.”

There will be eight of Bismarck-Mandan’s top chefs, restaurants, and food trucks, all competing for a cash prize, championship trophy, and ultimate bragging rights. Attendees will have the power to vote for their favorite mac & cheese vendor, helping crown the 2025 People’s Choice Winner. 2023 champion,

Laughing Sun Brewing Co. is already confirmed to compete, with more vendors to be announced soon. The festival also features live music, interactive games and activities for all ages, and a variety of drink and dessert options, including beer, seltzers, and ready-to-drink cocktails.

Giving Back to the Community Funatix Events is partnering with Heaven’s Helper's Soup Café to ensure no mac & cheese goes to waste, donating leftovers to those in need. Heaven’s Helpers will also be on-site to share more about their impactful work in the community.

**** How to buy tickets****

You can buy in Advance! With over 1,200 attendees in the past two years and this year’s Bismarck Depot venue limited to just 1,500 tickets, a sellout is expected. Walk-up tickets ($15) are not guaranteed and will only be available if tickets remain. Mac & cheese tokens can be purchased on-site. To guarantee entry and get the best value, purchasing in advance is highly recommended.

*** Here are some awesome perks****

All-Inclusive, Pre-Event Ticket Options: ● Lil’ Mac Ticket – 30-minute early entry, four mac samples, and a drink voucher. ● Big Cheese Ticket – Early entry at 3:00 PM, eight mac samples, and three drink vouchers. ● Mac Daddy VIP Ticket – Includes a brand-new Fast Pass to skip the line, private VIP entrance, and exclusive patio seating (limited to only 500 tickets).

All advance tickets come with a commemorative spork Be the first to get tickets and event updates by joining the “First to the Cheese” Priority List at ndmacandcheese.com. About Funatix Events Funatix Events is a full-service, hands-on experience planning company that helps community and private events stand out, sell out, and give back to their cause.

Funatix Events believes when FUN is done differently it creates core memories, lifelong fans, and stronger communities. Learn more at funatixevents.com. About the Bismarck Depot Under new ownership, the Bismarck Depot has been reimagined as a vibrant downtown hub for community events and experiences. Funatix Events, the Depot’s event space manager, is curating a dynamic lineup of festivals, concerts, and events that bring people together to celebrate and strengthen the community. Learn more at funatixevents.com/depot.