Meet Mike and Deb Hutchinson!

Longtime festival volunteers, Mike and Deb Hutchinson, will serve as king and queen for the 2026 festival.

The Hutchinsons’ connection to the festival dates back many years. Their son, Adam, was Cheese Days Prince in 1996. Deb, a retired Monroe School District teacher, currently co-chairs the Retail Committee and has also assisted with the Craft Show. Mike, a retired agent with Farm Bureau Financial Services, has helped with signage and Commercial Vendors.

CHEESE DAYS

Back in 1914, the concept of Cheese Days originated from the notion that if some little town in Illinois could have a festival commemorating sauerkraut, then a celebration based on cheese would be an even better idea.

A group of local businessmen planned the festivities in just nine days, driving a roadster through the city of Monroe to publicize the event. A hand-lettered sign attached to the vehicle proclaimed “FIRST CHEESE DAY COMMITTEE 1914 – WE STARTED SOMETHING!”

And did they ever.

100 years later, we invite you to take part in our centennial Cheese Days 2014 – where old-world tradition has generated an out-of-this-world celebration.

Help us celebrate our Swiss heritage with traditional music, dance, drinks, food, and extraordinary cheese!