Aspen’s Mactoberfest returns

It might sound cheesy, but Mactoberfest is back and better than ever.

The free annual event will be back for its third year 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, on the 300 Block of East Hopkins Ave. Local restaurants will compete with signature macaroni and cheese dishes that will be voted on by attendees. This year, two winners will be crowned with the Judges’ Favorite award and the Crowd Favorite award.

“This town loves its carbs,” said Wesy Armour-Cook, special events assistant manager for the city of Aspen. “Whether you’re super active or not, mac and cheese is always a hit. Last year we even asked people if they’d be open to changing it up — maybe tacos or a salsa competition — and the response was pretty unanimous. First a funny look, then a very firm ‘no.’ Mac and cheese is here to stay.”

And this year will have the most competitors yet — both festival veterans and new participants. While the inaugural Mactoberfest in 2023 saw 10 competitors, that number dropped to six in 2024 when the event was moved back a week and coincided with Snowmass Wine fest, which many of the restaurants were participating in. This year, the date was moved back to the weekend after Labor Day (where it will continue to occur going forward) and is hosting 11 competitors.

The Crowd Favorite will be determined by the number of votes received at a blind voting table where all participants can taste and cast a vote. A panel of judges — Mactoberfest veteran and cheese connoisseur Laura Werlin, Aspen’s new Fire Chief Jake Andersen, and 14-year-old Aspen High School freshman Lyla Osbourne — will crown the Judges’ Favorite.

“It’s a true community moment,” Armour-Cook said, “local restaurants get to show off their skills, and the town gets fed.”