Pies are a great example of how local, seasonal foods can signify welcome and community with unique regional qualities. The Pie Lovers Unite! extravaganza honors pie-making traditions in Michigan by inviting people to bake, bring, share, and taste pies from around the area.  Pie Lovers Unite! demonstrates that a community is only as good as its homemade pie - and we have a GREAT community.

This year we’ll have PIE MUSIC, themed PIE WALKS (be prepared to shake your tailfeathers), a PIE CONTEST with prizes and a recipe swap, the ever-hilarious PIE-KU poetry recital, PIE QUOTES and of course PIE EATING.

This event started as part of the cross-country Pie Across America/Eat Well Guided Tour celebrating PIE as emblematic of local food traditions. We won the "Best Pie Event" award from the tour in 2007. 

Admission

IMPORTANT: With or without a pie, you must have a ticket from Brown Paper Tickets! If you bring a homemade pie, you will be able to reserve a free ticket.

We really want you to make and bring a pie, but we'll also accept a donation for an evening of all-you-can-eat homemade pie. Tickets this year are $10 each.

Categories for the Pie Contest

NOTE: Participants will choose the category in which to enter their pies. Participants can enter multiple pies, but only one pie in each category.

1. -Quintessential Fruit Pie (the ultimate Michigan fruit pie)
   

2. -Best Non-fruit Sweet Pie (custard, nut, bean, etc.)
   

3. -Best Use of Local Ingredients (please include recipe, and estimate mileage from each source)
   

- Best Savory Pie

1. -Best Pie Crust
   

- Best Kid’s Pie (made by kids age 15 and under)

 

For each pie that you enter in the pie contest, we'll ask that you submit the recipe with a list of each of the ingredients in your pie AND where each of those ingredients was produced. Please bring a 4 x 6 recipe card with this information, or we'll provide you with one at the event.

Important

Doors will open at 6:30pm. Deadline for submissions to the pie contest is 7:00pm on Sunday evening. 

If you have not arrived by 7:15pm, your place at Pie Lovers Unite! may be forfeited.

 

Generous Supporters Who Have Contributed to Pie Lovers Unite! Every Year - Thank you!

Mighty Good Coffee - This high-quality, small batch roaster located in Ann Arbor has contributed the coffee for every single Pie Lovers Unite! event. What is pie without coffee anyhow?

Zingerman's Bakehouse - Zingerman’s has generously contributed dozens of delicious pie prizes over the past 5 years, thrilling the lucky recipients.  

Other supporters have included:

Beezy's Cafe - Located in beautiful, historic Ypsilanti, Beezy's serves "simple, honest food."

Downtown Home and Garden - Gardening, greenhouse, and housewares in historic livery stable.

Eden Foods - The "oldest natural food company in North America." Many of Eden's (organic!) products are grown and processed right here in Michigan!

Nicola's Books - Our fabulous "premier, independent bookstore" on Ann Arbor's west side.

Old Pine Farm - Meat CSA (beef, pork, chicken, lamb, bison, and sometimes emu!) using humane and organic practices. Many heritage breeds on lovely farm pasture.

Pot and Box - Beautiful garden fresh bouquets and potted plants, available at Everyday Wines in Kerrytown.

Stucchi's Ice Cream - Premium ice cream and frozen yogurt, locally made, locally owned and operated.

Westwind Milling - Local and organically grown and milled wheat, corn and rye flours. With a store selling their own bread and baked goods. Tours available at the mill in Argentine, MI.