A gouda cause: Columbus Mac & Cheese Festival supports cancer research

When Josh Barkan founded the Columbus Mac & Cheese Festival seven years ago, his primary purpose was to raise funds for cancer research . His affinity for the cheesy pasta dish was just a perk.

“I came up with it as a fun way to fight cancer and raise money,” Barkan said. “I love mac and cheese, and I think lot of people do, too. Who doesn’t like mac and cheese?”

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The festival, which takes place from 4-7:30 p.m. Friday at The Yard at Easton Town Center, will feature more than 15 local restaurateurs offering their takes on mac and cheese, plus live entertainment, a kids’ zone, giveaways and more.

The event is hosted by the Easton Community Foundation and the NextGen James Ambassadors Society, a group Barkan chairs that provides education, fundraising and support for Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer research.

Proceeds benefit the AYA cancer program at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC-James).

“People in the program are 15 to 39 years old,” Barkan said. “This is an underserved population because (people think) ‘young people don’t get cancer.’ But that’s changing.”

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The past six festivals have collectively raised more than $411,000, Barkan said, estimating that 1,000 to 1,500 people attend each year.

In addition to cancer research, the money raised has funded survivorship programming and allowed the OSUCCC-James to host a national oncofertility conference and other projects.

Tickets for the Columbus Mac & Cheese Festival are $30 for ages 13 and older and $10 for children 3-12. Children younger than 3 are admitted for free. VIP tickets and four-packs are also available. To purchase, go to bit.ly/3XJn7BE.

Barkan said it was important to keep festival tickets affordable because it’s a community event where everyone can have an impact.

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“Cancer affects everybody, and everybody should be able to make a difference in fighting cancer. When you buy a ticket, you’re really making a difference in people’s lives,” he said.

“Seeing everybody there rallying for the cause is really special. It brings people together in a time that we need it.”

bpaschal@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: A gouda cause: Columbus Mac & Cheese Festival supports cancer research