By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
The Canal Winchester Area Historical Society is turning back the hands of time to an age when taking the top prize in a baking competition was an honor awarded to the best baker in town.
“When the city announced last year that they were going to create Hometown Day, the historical society wanted to create an event that replicated what you used to see at fairs around the nation,” said Society Secretary Jill Amos. “That is where the pie contest came into play and what better event to have it at but the ice cream social. The contest was well received and we are still hosting the ice-cream social so it seemed like a great idea to repeat the event.”
Bakers across the city are invited to vie for top honors again this year by turning simple, everyday ingredients into a blue-ribbon worthy pie in the organization’s second annual Pie
Contest on Sept. 4 during the city’s Labor Day Festival.
Amos said there were eight pies entered in the 2021 competition, with two people submitting more than one pie. Vangie Barnes took home the coveted blue ribbon last year.
“We had such a wide range of pies from fruit to custard pies,” said Amos.
During the contest, bakers bring their covered pies to a table where they are issued a number. Judges are later brought over to start evaluating the pies on appearance, color, texture, bake and flavor, in addition to other judging criteria.
The pie contest, which is open to bakers of all ages, is held outside and located next to the historical society’s ice-cream social, which starts at 1 p.m. at 10 W. Oak St., is free and open to the public.
Pies must be entered by the person who made the pie and contestants may enter up to two pies. Entries must be completely homemade and based on a 9-10 inch pie plate. No store bought pies, crusts, or fillings may be used. A complete recipe must be included with the entry and pies should be made in a clean and safe environment.
“Our judges are volunteers from around the community that are selected prior to the event,” said Amos. “Each judge is asked to try a bite of each pie. Last year, several judges had to sample twice to get to the final choices. There were no bad pies submitted last year, which made judging even more challenging.”
Pie contest entries must be dropped off between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., with judging starting around 2:15 p.m.
According to Amos, there is only one blue ribbon/category, but if the contest continues to grow, the society could expand the competition accordingly in the future.
