Cream Cheese Festival returns to downtown Lowville Sept. 17

Sep. 10—LOWVILLE — The annual Cream Cheese Festival will return to historic downtown Lowville, in the heart of Lewis County, Saturday, Sept. 17. The free admission event — which will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. — celebrates Lowville being home to the nation's largest cream cheese plant, Kraft Heinz, which produces Philadelphia Cream Cheese.

Lowville native Beth Hall, co-host of 7News This Morning on WWNY-TV-7 and FOX 28, will again serve as emcee for this year's event, kicking off festivities from the Main Stage on North State Street. Musical entertainment for that stage, coordinated by Jasyn Griffin, will begin at 11 a.m. Opening ceremonies at the Main Stage will officially kick things off at noon.

Festival chairman Jeremiah S. Papineau said the committee is pleased to continue this highly-anticipated event, especially as the world continues to navigate its way toward the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"When we had to cancel our event two years ago, it saddened us, but we understood," said Mr. Papineau. "When we brought the festival back last year, it was great to see the enthusiasm for this event was still there. We're still continuing to do our best to host an event that's both fun for those attending and done in a responsible way, given COVID still being a reality."

This year will mark the return of the traditional giant cheesecake created by Kraft Heinz. Last year, Kraft Heinz devised a solution for offering free cheesecake in a more convenient and pandemic-friendly way, providing single-serve Philadelphia Cheesecake cups.

"We were excited last year when Kraft Heinz shared the news they would provide this alternative instead of scrapping the giant cheesecake altogether," said Mr. Papineau. "It was a new product they launched and it was a hit with the crowd. However, when discussing plans for this year, we were excited to learn the giant cheesecake will be back."

Nick Turnbull, plant manager for the Kraft Heinz facility in Lowville, stated he was proud to announce the return of the giant cheesecake.

"We are excited for this staple within the community to finally return, and we look forward to seeing everyone on Sept. 17," he said in a statement.

The giant cheesecake will be unveiled at the Lowville Fire Hall across from the Main Stage during opening ceremonies.

In addition to entertainment at the Main Stage on North State Street, musical entertainment will be offered at the Veterans Stage next to American Legion Post 162 on Parkway Drive.

"Jasyn has worked on another great line-up for both stages, offering something for everyone," said Mr. Papineau.

As always, this year's event will include food, entertainment, a wide array of vendors, the traditional recipe contest and the Children's Discovery Park, featuring attractions by Adventures in Climbing in Veterans Memorial Park along Parkway Drive. Admission to the Children's Discovery Park, at a cost of $5 per child, gives children and an accompanying adult access to attractions all day and choice of popcorn, cotton candy or snow-cone for the child.

"We're looking forward to another great year of the festival," said Mr. Papineau. "We have an amazing committee — all of whom volunteer countless hours of their time to make this event happen. We're very fortunate to have them to carry on this tradition of offering a family-friendly event here in Lewis County."

Last year's event required modifications to address the COVID-19 pandemic which meant not featuring its usual wacky contests. The popular activities will not take place this year due to a lack of a games coordinator.

"While it saddens us to not be able to offer this attraction at the festival as we've done in the past, it's the unfortunate reality that comes with this being an entirely volunteer-run festival," said Mr. Papineau.

Despite this, Mr. Papineau said he believes people will continue to turn out for the vendors, entertainment, food, the Children's Discovery Park and, of course, cheesecake.

In addition, the festival will feature a recipe contest. Those wishing to participate may pick up six free packages of Philadelphia Cream Cheese at the Lowville Kraft Heinz facility, 7388 Utica Blvd., noon to 4 p.m Wednesday, Sept. 14, and Thursday, Sept. 15. Those picking up cream cheese from the local Kraft Heinz facility must furnish a copy of their recipe upon pick-up and will be subject to a temperature screening before being admitted into the building. Other arrangements may be made by calling 315-376-6575.

Points in the judging are weighted — the most points are awarded for the taste component, the next highest points are awarded in creativity and the fewest points are awarded for presentation.

Entries must be delivered to the recipe contest booth located inside the Lowville Fire Department between 8 and 9 a.m. on Sept. 18. Parking is available in the Lowville Free Library lot during drop-off hours, with access to the fire hall available via the rear entry doorway on Parkway Drive.

Displays are limited to a 2-by-2-foot area on the table and only the registration number should be visible on an entry. Electrical outlets will be available.

In addition, all entries must be prepared with Philadelphia Cream Cheese and any recipe submitted becomes the property of Kraft Heinz.

Entries must be picked up by 2 p.m. the day of the contest. Kraft Heinz is not responsible for any dish not picked up that day.

This year's contest will have both dessert and non-dessert categories with cash prizes awarded.

Those wishing to register for the recipe contest must send an email to the Cream Cheese Festival Committee in advance to creamcheesefestival@gmail.com or call 315-748-6361.

Parkway Drive and North State Street, from the main intersection at Dayan Street and Shady Avenue to Bostwick Street, will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. to accommodate the festival.

For more information, visit www.creamcheesefestival.com, email creamcheesefestival@gmail.com or call Mr. Papineau at 315-748-6361 and leave a message.

Platinum sponsors for this year's event include Kraft Heinz, Marks Farms, UnitedHealthcare, Lewis County Agricultural Society, WWNY 7News/Fox28/MeTV, the Lowville Business Association and the village of Lowville.