Costume Contest

Groovy granny squares, boho flares, glitter, sequins and metallic fringe. Gouda Time Guaranteed.

Cheese Days Gets Funky: Bombargo-Inspired Costume Contest Brings Gouda Vibes

What’s funkier than Limburger? The wildly colorful, retro-inspired style of Bombargo — coming to Cheese Days Friday, September 18 @ 9 PM!

Dress in your grooviest, boldest, most over-the-top Bombargo-inspired look: granny squares, flared pants, glitter, sequins, ’70s flair and more.

Cheese Days “spotters” will be roaming the crowd during the show, choosing standouts for an intermission costume contest. Finalists will take the stage, and winners will be decided by audience cheers. Gouda prizes are up for grabs!

Contest categories:
Loudest Pants at the Party
Human Disco Ball
Retro Revival
Dynamic Duo
Family Funk

Bombargo is known for electrifying live shows, outrageous fashion and their motto, “Good time guaranteed.” We prefer: “Gouda time guaranteed.”

Prince & Princess Contest

The Prince and Princess have been selected for 2026. The next contest will be June 2028.

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!