The ninth-annual Beer Cheese Festival drew thousands to downtown Winchester Saturday to shop at local and regional vendors while celebrating Winchester’s favorite invention.

While final numbers on attendance are still being calculated, there are signs that the warm, clear weather helped draw record crowds.

Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Banks said so many people attended the event that workers ran out of wristbands to give visitors and had to use leftover bands from the previous year.

Beer cheese contest winners

—Best amateur: Ben Goff

—First place: Kentucky Beer Cheese

—Second place: River Rat Beer Cheese

—Third place: Full Circle Market

—People’s choice: River Rat Beer Cheese