Early Hours, Shorter Lines
Arriving early at a cheese festival is not a race; it is a gift to your future self. Shorter lines mean clearer decisions. Stalls have time to answer questions. Your senses are fresher, the aisles are cooler, and the day has not yet gathered its full noise. This page is a small guide to using those first hours well without turning them into a march.
What to do before gates open
Eat a plain breakfast and bring water. A small coin purse helps when card readers slow down. Check the day’s layout the night before so the first ten minutes are for walking, not scanning a map. If you can, stand near a side entrance rather than the main one; crowds step forward and then hesitate, which can jam the centre.
First ten minutes
Pick one aisle and begin. Do not try to see it all. Look for soft cheeses early; they are popular and run low. If a blue catches your eye but you are not ready, make a quiet note and carry on. Ask one clear question at each stall. “Is the rind edible?” is better than “Tell me everything.”
Using time kindly
Stallholders are people at work. Early hours can be calm or frantic depending on deliveries and setup. If the person in front of you needs extra time, step back, breathe, and use the minute to sip water or write a note. Your patience is not only kind; it is tactical. You will taste better if you are not annoyed.
Families and first tastes
If you arrive with children, the first hour sets the tone for the whole day. Aim for one quick success: a mild, creamy soft cheese that is easy to like. Share a small cut and celebrate the win. Then move. The second stall can carry a bigger question. Keep hands free by packing a small cloth bag; paper and knives appear in odd places, and you will want both when you least expect it.
When a line forms behind you
Do not rush, but do not hold ground you do not need. If you want a second taste, ask, then step to the side so the next person can order. Use simple phrases. “Could I try a smaller piece of the crumbly one?” works. So does “I think I’ll come back later.” The aim is not to beat the line; it is to keep the line friendly.
Weather
Heat makes soft cheeses wilt and tempers change. Early arrivals dodge the worst of it, but bring a cool bag anyway. Rain shifts layouts and puddles create narrow chokepoints. If that happens, take the wide way around rather than pushing through. Ten slow steps can save three minutes of frustration.
Money and memory
Carry small change if possible. Some stalls move faster with coins, and it keeps your card for larger buys. Write names on the wrappers as soon as you receive them. A marker solves arguments later when two similar wedges share a bag. If you forget, ask the stallholder to write the name; most are happy to help.
Exit and return
Leaving the site and coming back is a valid move. If you secure your soft cheese early, place it in a cool car or a shaded spot in your bag and return for a second loop. Early exit is also a reset when a plan feels crowded. You are allowed to change your mind about the day you thought you wanted.
A calm close
By late morning, the mood changes. Crowds swell, demos start, and lines grow stubborn. If you have used the early hours well, you will already have your soft cheese for today, one firm for later, and a curiosity for the weekend. Take a last, slow pass. Thank people. Walk out before the last piece becomes an obligation. The best early hour ends with a light bag and a clear head. Leave smiling; the afternoon can follow.