THE CANADIAN CHEESE ROLLING FESTIVAL: A DELICIOUS AND EXHILARATING EVENT

Thousands of smiling cheese lovers gather in Whistler, British Columbia

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MONTREAL, July 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Today 165 enthusiastic cheese loving competitors spent the afternoon chasing a giant wheel of Canadian cheese down Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler during Dairy Farmers of Canada's Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival. The two Grand Champions each went home with an 11-pound wheel of Canadian cheese and a Whistler season's ski pass for two.

The male Grand Champion, Guy McLintock of Vancouver, British Columbia, won the men's race in a time of nine seconds and the female Grand Champion, Lorraine Phan of Richmond, British Columbia, won the women's race in a time of 19 seconds. In addition to the men's and women's races, 139 children participated in uphill races.

"This festival, which is now the most unique one held worldwide, attracts families, contestants and spectators from across Canada and all for the love of cheese. The number of people participating in the races, attending the festival and sampling some of Canada's great cheeses exceeded our expectations," said Solange Heiss, assistant director, marketing and nutrition communications, Dairy Farmers of Canada. "Dairy Farmers of Canada is proud to sponsor the Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival for the fourth year and shine the spotlight on the high quality cheese produced in this country from coast to coast."

In addition to the races, more than 12,500 spectators took in a host of other fun activities including cheese Twister, free cheese seminars and a Cheese Market full of delicious samples of Canadian cheese made from 100% Canadian milk.

Renowned Canadian and award-winning stand-up comic, improviser, actor and writer from Western Canada, Roman Danylo, hosted the day's festivities, which involved 11 race heats before the final Grand Championship races.

For the fourth consecutive year, Canadian cheese maker Natural Pastures produced the special 11-pound wheels of delicious Cracked Pepper Verdelait cheese for the Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival.

Visit www.canadiancheeserolling.ca for race results from the Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival. High resolution photos and video footage from the event can also be downloaded through the web site's newsroom as of July 24, 2011 at noon EST, while a raw footage news reel can also be downloaded from the URL link http://cnw.pathfireondemand.com/viewpackage.action?packageid=465.

About Canadian Cheese
Cheese is a staple food in the Canadian diet, with 98 per cent of Canadians eating cheese regularly. The cheese making industry is one of Canada's oldest, dating back nearly as far as the fur trade.

About Dairy Farmers of Canada
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) strives to create favourable conditions for the Canadian dairy industry, today and in the future. DFC works to maintain policies that foster the viability of Canadian dairy producers and to promote quality Canadian dairy products made from 100% Canadian milk as part of a healthy balanced diet. DFC is completely funded by dairy producers.

SOURCE Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC)