Contestants Chase Cheese Roll Down Bear Creek

The cheese didn’t have to stand alone on Sunday at Bear Creek Mountain Resort, where groups of locals gathered to chase a wheel of cheese down a hill.  

“This is the first time I’ve ever done something like this,” said Curt Haldwell, who brought his family to Sunday’s events. “I saw the sign-up sheet and decided to give it a try.”

Haldwell wasn’t the only newcomer, as most of his fellow contestants were rolling novices.  And although they might not have competed, most admitted to having seen similar contests online. Seventeen-year-old Sean O’Connell credited YouTube for getting him interested.

“I’ve seen them do the cheese wheel rolls in England,” he said. “I thought it would be a fun thing to try, and my only tactic is to try and stay on my feet the whole time!”

For O’Connell, and most of his fellow competitors, staying on two feet was easier said than done.  The 25 contestants were separated into two age groups: under 31 and 31-and-over, and readied to begin their race atop one of Bear Creek’s steepest hills, overlooking their paddle boating and fishing pond, as groups of spectators and supportive family members looked on.

“I’m a little nervous, I’ll admit,” said Haldwell’s wife, Jess. “That hill is much steeper than I thought it would be.”

A steep hill and slick grass did little deter the cheese-chasers. Both groups charged down the hill with little hesitation, and, for both sets of winners, the day ended on a wet note, chasing the wooden cheese wheel all the way into the middle of the pond. Still, the results did little to dampen their spirits.

“I had a great time, and I’ll be back next year for more,” said Haldwell.

The roll was one of many activities at Bear Creek’s Cheese, Garlic and Folk Festival, which featured local musicians, crafters and farmers on display at the resort’s pavilion.