Eli’s Cheesecake celebrates National Cheesecake Day, 35th birthday with festival

Chicago’s Eli’s Cheesecake is celebrating two culinary events with its annual Cheesecake Festival.

The iconic Chicago purveyor of all things cheesecake is celebrating its 35th birthday and National Cheesecake Day with the festival running July 30-Aug. 2 at its Eli’s Cheesecake World location (Montrose and Forest Preserve Drive in Chicago). Highlights include the debut of Birthday Cake Cheesecake on a stick (a hit at this year’s Taste of Chicago, the treat features frozen confetti cheesecake on top of a layer of birthday cake, enrobed in milk chocolate, rolled in more confetti and served frozen on a stick!).

Entertainment will include hourly new flavor cheesecake tastings, the Jesse White Tumblers, The Happiness Club, a classic car show and “Come as You Were” 1920-1990s costume contest (Sunday only), cheesecake eating contests and cheesecake hula hoop contests. Farm-fresh grilled lunches will be available for purchase on Saturday and Sunday only.

A portion of the proceeds from the festival will benefit the New Horizons Center school for the developmentally disabled.

For complete details and schedule of events, visit www.CheesecakeFestival.com.