When I first heard there was a Mac n’ Cheese Fest a few years ago I felt a couple different ways. First, I felt like someone was playing a rude prank on me. Then upon realizing it was in fact a real event I was pissed that I had missed it! What a magical city we live in.

In its third year the NOLA Mac n’ Cheese Fest presented by Waitr will celebrate the beloved dish October 12 at Louis Armstrong Park. From 11-6 p.m. enjoy live music, support local art, and dive head first into some of the best mac n’ cheese the city has to offer. Free and open to the public, this year’s fest will benefit Special Olympics Louisiana.

Third time’s a charm, with more restaurants and musical acts on the bill than previous years. Pace yourself my friends. The Big Cheezy, Frey Smoked Meats Co., Superior Seafood and Oyster Bar, Manning’s and Jazzy Keto are just a few vendors on the lineup. #macnplease 

Live music throughout the day from DJ Doug Funnie, J and The Causeways, the Marigny Street Jazz Band with Big Chief Juan Paris, the Red Hot Gentilly Peppers and the Songbird of New Orleans herself Robin Barnes will help you dance off some of that cheese. 

If you think you love mac more than me (whatever helps you sleep at night) you can prove it and enter the inaugural mac n’ cheese eating contest. Celeb judge Stephen Deaderick aka @thenola15 has the important task of helping decide who’s got the best mac in the city. “I haven’t been before so I’m excited to experience it for the first time!”

But could he hang in the eating contest? “I love eating and can eat a lot, but have you seen those competitive eaters?? I am nowhere near their level, so I’ll just stick to judging this time around.” 

For full details on the NOLA Mac n’ Cheese Fest, click here.