Mac 'n' Cheese Throwdown
#MacDown
FAQ's
Questions? You're Not Alone. Get Them Answered Here.
WHAT IS THE DATE OF THE MAC ‘N’ CHEESE THROWDOWN?
The Mac ‘n’ Cheese Throwdown will be held March 1, 2025
WHERE IS THE THE MAC ‘N’ CHEESE THROWDOWN HELD?
This year The Mac ‘n’ Cheese Throwdown is being held at The Madison in downtown Cleveland.
PROHIBITED ITEMS:
-No outside food or drink.
-No weapons or firearms of any kind (regardless of concealed carry permit)
-No drones (remote controlled or unmanned aircraft systems)
-No umbrellas, no hula hoops
-No drugs and/or drug paraphernalia
-No pets with the exception of service animals
-Any item that can be used as a projectile or deemed as dangerous
WHERE CAN I FIND PARKING?
A comprehensive list of directions and parking options can be found on The Madison’s website, by clicking HERE.
Limited (120 spots) valet parking will also be available on a first come, first serve basis thanks to C-Town Valet ($15). Valet may be found via the E. 47th Street walk-up entrance to The Madison.
Public transportation is a great idea when alcohol is involved and we highly encourage the use of Designated Drivers and ride sharing apps like UBER.
WHY IS THERE A LINE TO GET IN?
You will see a line at the event entrance. Don’t let it scare you. It moves quickly. Why a line at all? Welp - America luvs mac 'n' cheese! It is also our policy to check the identification of all who enter the festival to ensure they are of proper drinking age. To help the line move quickly, please have your ID ready—either a state-issued ID or a passport. If your ticket is on your phone, please turn the screen brightness all the way up, so it is easier for us to scan the ticket.
Looking for VIP? Stay all the way to the left of the building to find the sign for the VIP entrance to expedite your entry.
WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE ID TO GET IN?
In order to gain access to the festival, no matter what your age, please be prepared to show proper identification as proof of age. We are unable to accept any foreign driver’s license (with the exception of Canada). Note that the identification cannot be expired at the time of the festival. Valid forms of ID include:
- a valid state driver license with a photo
- a valid ID card issued by a state with photo, name, date of birth and physical description
- a valid passport
- a valid United States military identification card
CAN I BRING MY CHILD?
Yes. Every person 5 and over must have a ticket in order to be admitted, due to the nature of the event and our licensing. Strollers are not recommended.
CAN I BRING MY PET?
Animals are not allowed on the festival site except for ADA recognized service animals while performing their qualifying services. Service animals are working animals, NOT pets. Emotional Support Animals or Companion Animals are not considered service animals under the ADA. We reserve the right to ask you to confirm that your animal is a service animal and ask what specific duties it performs. If you refuse to respond or choose not to communicate that information, we reserve the right to deny entry to your service animal.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO ENTER THE FESTIVAL?
Ticket pricing can be found on our website, under the “Tickets” tab.
Our tickets are a one-time fee that includes admission, all you can eat sampling from our chefs, and one vote for “People’s Choice Best Mac”. Tickets are non-transferrable and are non-refundable.
WHEN DO TICKET SALES CEASE?
Ticket sales stop precisely one hour before the voting closes or upon sell-out. Be aware of this when scheduling your visit to the festival.
WHEN DOES VOTING CLOSE?
Voting will be the end of the event at 3:30PM. People’s Choice Winners will be announced on the event Facebook page the next day.
HOW CAN I FIND THE MAC I WANT?
You are more likely to find mac’s by restaurant, rather than by style or by alphabetical order. The best way to locate the mac you want is to check the map—available at no cost—via our website or by finding a printed version near the main entrance.
WILL ANY OF THE CHEF’S RUN OUT?
Yes. Be prepared for mac’s to run out toward the end of the day. Why? For a variety of reasons! Some appeal to the sampling appetites of many, and therefore go faster. So there is a good chance that the mac “everyone is talking about” will probably run out earlier in the day. If you are coming to taste specific mac’s, we recommend you come earlier in the session. The mac is donated 100% free of charge by each chef to support W.A.G.S. 4 Kids and provided so that the most number of people can try them.
ARE THERE ANY DRINKS ON SITE?
There will be two bars on-site offering a variety of great alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. These vendors will be cashless and accepting credit and debit cards only.
CAN I BRING OUTSIDE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INTO THE VENUE?
No.
IS SMOKING ALLOWED?
There is an outdoor patio area where smoking is allowable.
CAN I VOLUNTEER?
We love our Volunteers! Please refer to the "Get Involved" tab on the website to see if there are still spots available.
ARE THERE ANY GLUTEN-FREE MAC’s THIS YEAR? ANY VEGAN MAC'S?
For a full and current listing of dishes - please refer "Maps & Menus" under the "Overview" tab on the website.
I BOUGHT A TICKET AND NOW I CAN’T FIND IT/CAN’T PRINT IT, WHAT DO I DO?
FOR TICKET HOLDERS ONLY: If you purchased your tickets on the event website and need customer service regarding your ticket purchase, please email info@wags4kids.com for assistance. Ticket Purchaser names will be available at the door the day of the event, by last name. ID's will still be required for ALL attendees.
IS THIS EVENT INDOORS OR OUTDOORS?
Indoors. All chefs and bars will be inside the venue with entertainment and other exhibitors available on the covered outdoor patio. The event will take place rain or shine. All ticket sales are final. No refunds will be given.
I CAN NO LONGER ATTEND. NOW WHAT?
We’re bummed you can no longer join us! While tickets are not refundable, ticket holders may give their ticket to someone else to use— similar to a concert or other ticketed event.
ARE WE ALLOWED TO LEAVE AND RE-ENTER THE FESTIVAL SITE?
Yes, once you have had your ticket processed and received your wristband and hand-stamp, you may come and go as you please.
WHAT DO WE DO IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER?
Listen to Festival Staff for instructions. In case of severe weather, the venue may request you to take shelter in your vehicle or away from the venue. Your wristband will allow you re-entry once the threat has passed. Please stay tuned to the social media pages for updated information, concerning re-entry.
WHAT ARE YOUR COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AND POLICIES?
- Covid protocols will be determined as events transpire, but will be communicated to all attendees through emails and social media posts.
- Covid policy changes are not grounds for refunds of ticket purchases.
- Should any City/County/State mandate event changes like wearing of masks, capacity restraints, Vaccinations required, etc., we will communicate the new policy at that time and may provide a refund or credit for use at a future festival at our discretion.
- Should refunds be given, credit card processing and ticketing fees can not be refunded.
- Vaccinations and Facemasks are currently not required for admission but this could change at any time.
- Getting vaccinated and practicing social distancing at the event are encouraged.
- Cash will not be accepted as a form of payment inside the venue. All purchases must be made with a valid debit or credit card.
- Hand sanitizer stations are abundantly available throughout the venue and should be used frequently.
- If you are feeling sick, we ask that you consider others and please stay home.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY:
This section is an acknowledgement and express assumption of risk and release of liability in any way related to Participant being exposed to or contracting COVID-19 (as defined by the World Health Organization) and any strains, variants, or mutations thereof, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and/or any other communicable and/or infectious diseases, viruses, bacteria or illnesses or the causes thereof (collectively, “Communicable Disease”), during or in connection with Participant/ participation in the Activity and/or Participant presence at The Mac ‘n’ Cheese Throwdown or wherever the Activity is held (the “Facility”).
By participating in the Activity and/or being present at the Facility, Participant acknowledges and expressly assumes the risk that Participant may be exposed to Communicable Disease. Participant expressly understand that the risks of exposure to Communicable Disease include contracting Communicable Disease and the associated dangers, medical complications (including death) and physical and mental injuries, both foreseen and unforeseen, that may result from contracting Communicable Disease.
Participant further acknowledges and understands that Participant interaction with Activity staff, participants and any other individuals present at the Facility poses an elevated, inherent risk of being exposed to and contracting Communicable Disease, that it cannot be guaranteed that Participant will not be exposed to Communicable Disease, and that potential exposure to or contraction of Communicable Disease while participating in the Activity and/or being present at the Facility are risks that cannot be eliminated. If infected with Communicable Disease, Participant acknowledges and understands that Participant/Participant’s child may subsequently infect others, even if Participant/Participant’s child don’t experience or display any symptoms.
In connection with the foregoing, Participant agrees that Participant will not participate in the Activity or be present at the Facility if, within fourteen (14) days preceding the Activity, Participant (i) tested positive or presumptively positive for Communicable Disease or was identified as a potential carrier of Communicable Disease, (ii) experienced any symptoms commonly associated with Communicable Disease, including, without limitation, fever, cough, loss of sense of taste or smell, or shortness of breath; (iii) traveled to a country that is subject to a U.S. State Department Level 4 “Do Not Travel” Advisory or a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice (each, a “Prohibited Country”) and/or (iv) was in direct contact with or the immediate vicinity of any person who is either confirmed or suspected of being infected with Communicable Disease or who has travelled to a Prohibited Country within fourteen (14) days preceding Participant/Participant’s child’s encounter with such person. Participant further agrees that Participant will submit to any health screening and/or Communicable Disease testing that may be required as a condition of Participant participation in the Activity and/or presence at the Facility.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, I HEREBY WAIVE, RELEASE, FOREVER DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE THE RELEASEES FOR, AND THE RELEASEES SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, ANY CLAIM, LIABILITY OR DEMAND OF WHATEVER KIND OR NATURE, EITHER IN LAW OR IN EQUITY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, FOR PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE) THAT MAY ARISE IN CONNECTION WITH, OR RELATE IN ANY WAY TO, EXPOSURE TO OR CONTRACTION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE BY ME/MY CHILD OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL INFECTED BY ME/MY CHILD, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION CLAIMS RESULTING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES AND/OR THE INHERENT RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY AND/OR BEING PRESENT AT THE FACILITY DURING A COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PANDEMIC.
© 2016