The festival features more than 1300 different types of cheeses.

For the first time ever, the annual Festival of Cheese is in Austin.

The Hilton hotel located on 500 E. 4th St. is cheese central this weekend with more than 1,300 types of cheeses on display.

Events this weekend include the annual competition and conference for North American, and South American cheeses.

Cathy Strange, with the American Cheese Society, is excited about the festival and said it is their version of the Superbowl.

	Cheese-Related Information
• Interested in tickets to the 2009 Conference Festival of Cheese here in Austin? Click here. • Visit About.com Cheese page, to learn"How To Make a Basic Cheese Platter," complete with tips and related articles. • Read "Gourmet Cheese Parties for Beginners," Associated Content - July 29, 2006. • Learn more about the American Cheese Society. • Can’t get enough? Check out CHEESE.com, where you can search cheeses by name, country, texture, milk and much more.

"We had 1327 entries, and of those, nine cheeses were produced in Texas. We're really excited to have cheese in the heart of Texas," Strange said.

So far this week, the competition portion has been closed for judging, but on Saturday cheese tasting will be open to the public.

"You'll get a chance to taste 1,327 cheeses, cheeses I don't even get to taste everyday because they are locally produced and they may be very small production," Strange said. "So it gives you the opportunity to comment as a consumer and experience these wonderful cheeses."

If you don't want to buy a ticket for Saturday, you can go for free on Sunday and find some pretty good deals.

		WATCH THE VIDEO
	Cheese Fesitval News 8's Adam Krueger learns about the events at the Festival of Cheese, in Austin this weekend. Bonus Cheese pairings Cathy Strange, with the American Society of Cheese shares which cheeses go best with wine and beer.

"If you don't get to come to the festival you can come in and get bargain basement prices, and all of those profits go to the scholarship fund for cheese makers," Strange said.

She also said you can look forward to understanding that these cheeses are very different than the typical Cheddar or Swiss.

"There's such an amazing collection of these delicious and complex cheeses. It's almost like wine. It takes age to develop and fresh nuances, and I think the Austin community really should come down and enjoy it," Strange said.

	If you don’t buy a ticket Saturday, you can come for free on Sunday and find some pretty good deals.

A ticket for Saturday's event is $75. On Sunday the big cheese sale is free.

For more information visit the American Cheese Society.