Horrocks Farm Hosts Third Annual Mac and Cheese Fest Feb. 21

Horrocks Farm Market in Lansing will host its third annual Mac and Cheese Fest on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, running from 2 to 5 p.m. The event is positioned as a winter comfort-food celebration where attendees can sample a wide range of mac and cheese styles, pick from several cheese bases, and customize bowls with hearty toppings.

Mac and cheese will be sold by the cup for $8, with cheese base options that include yellow cheddar, white cheddar, smoked gouda, asiago, and a hatch chile blend. Topping choices range from pulled pork and bacon bits to onions and an assortment of hot sauces, giving cooks and home pasta fans plenty of room to experiment with heat, texture, and savory add-ins. The festival’s format makes it easy to try multiple combinations without committing to a full plate.

Organizers moved the festival date from the original Jan. 24 slot to Feb. 21 after extreme cold was expected in January. The shift keeps the outdoor gathering safer and more comfortable while preserving the event’s wintertime vibe. To further counter the chill, Horrocks Farm Market will offer complimentary hot cocoa and set up warming fires around the festival footprint, and the music lineup is built to keep energy up throughout the afternoon. DJ John Beltran will perform during the festival, followed by a set from Atomic Annie.

For Lansing residents and visitors from nearby communities, the festival serves several practical purposes: it spotlights local producers and cooks who prepare inventive takes on a classic comfort dish, it offers a social, family-friendly outing during the slow season for farmers markets, and it provides an accessible tasting experience for people who want to compare cheese bases and toppings without buying full entrees. Buying by the cup makes the event low-commitment and sampler-friendly; attendees can pace themselves through the menu and support multiple vendors.

As the local pasta and cheese scene continues to experiment with new flavor profiles and formats, the Mac and Cheese Fest functions as a grassroots tasting lab. Mark calendars for Feb. 21, plan for cold-weather layers, and come ready to chase the best cheese pull in Lansing while supporting small-scale producers and enjoying live music.