'Baby Loaf' buses roll into Utah to share cheese samples

OREM — Three 1966 Volkswagen Microbuses retrofitted to look like loaves of cheddar cheese are rolling through Utah as part of the Tillamook Loaf Love Tour.

The nine-state, 100-city tour arrived in Utah on Friday and will visit various grocery stores along the Wasatch Front through Sept. 14.

The "Baby Loaf" buses will be part of the Macey's Cheese Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 880 N. State. A 20-foot-long cheese display at the Orem store will be the centerpiece of the event.

"This promises to be an exciting day for our shoppers," said John Allen, manager of the Orem store. "We have truly pulled out all the stops to create an event where our guests can not only have a great time, but also get some great ideas to take home."

Customers who visit the Loaf Love Tour will have the opportunity to sample Tillamook cheese, as well as receive recipes, coupons and other giveaways. On Saturday, Macey's store guests also will be able to purchase a cheeseburger, chips and a drink for $1.

And they'll get a chance to check out the buses.

A fabrication shop in Port Orchard, Wash., spent six weeks retrofitting each Loaf Love bus. They've been reduced in length from 14 feet to 9.6 feet and lowered by three inches to improve balance and handling, according to a news release.

The buses have a top speed of 45 mph and get approximately 20 miles per gallon.

The Loaf Love Tour got under way in January in Tucson, Ariz. The tour was scheduled to visit Hill Air Force Base and Kent's Foods in Roy on Friday. In addition to Macey's in Orem, the buses are scheduled to be at Macey's at 931 W. State, Pleasant Grove, and 188 E. 1000 North, Spanish Fork, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

For a complete schedule, visit www.LoafLoveTour.com.

e-mail: jpage@desnews.com.