If you want to know what a cheese loaf looks like 32,000 times its normal size, you ought to pay a visit to the Americana Motor Hotel along Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Cheesemaker Tillmook and the motel unveiled the gargantuan replica of a Medium Cheddar Baby Loaf — dubbed a Cheeseside Attraction — on Saturday in front of more than 400 people.
The big loaf, which measures 24 feet long by 9 feet tall, will be on the Americana’s premises through Sept. 7.
The unveiling was part of Tillamook entering the Route 66 Cheese Trail. Because the Oregon-based cheesemaker doesn’t operate on Route 66, the company brand decided to bring its products to the Mother Road instead.
Visitors at the unveiling received about with limited-edition bumper stickers, postcards and, naturally, lots of cheese.
The Tillamook takeover continues across the property through Sept. 7. Each guest will receive a Tillamook ice cream bar at check-in, and the hotel’s heated pool transforms into a Tillamook pool party with branded floats and towels.
At the hotel’s Far Out Food takeout window, the limited-time Tillamook menu offers a Spicy Tillamook Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich, Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Wedge Salad, Grilled Cheese featuring Tillamook Whole Milk Mozzarella and a local root beer float made with Tillamook Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.
Fans can also book at the hotel the Tillamook Cheeseside Stay, decked in Tillamook-inspired décor and custom touches for a limited time. This special offering will be available through Sept. 7 with a two-night minimum.
During Labor Day weekend, visitors on Sept. 4 through Sept. 6 between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. can enjoy Tillamook samples while supplies last.
The Americana, which opened in 1962, was renovated a few years ago and reopened in 2023.
The 89-room motel at 2650 E. Route 66 offers amenities such as fire pits, hammocks, cornhole and bocce ball playing areas, a fenced area for pets, the aforementioned pool and food takeout window, and telescope rentals so guests can view the stars at night.
(Screen-capture image from video after Tillamook unveiling at Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff courtesy of Kara New)