Homemade pie is a beautiful example of how local, seasonal foods can convey 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.
As always, we’ll have PIE MUSIC, themed PIE WALKS (be prepared to shake your tail feathers), a PIE CONTEST with prizes, the ever-hilarious PIE-KU poetry recital, and of course PIE EATING.
Registration: All attendees (free and paying) must register in advance so we can plan ahead for parking and seating! While we welcome everyone who would like to eat pie, we really encourage you to make a pie if you can (even if it's your first ever pie). The more pies we have to share, the merrier!
Cost: Registration is FREE if you’re bringing a homemade pie. Registration is $12.56 (that's 4π) per person if you’re not bringing a pie. Sweetie-pies 8 and under are free with or without a pie. We've also added a family option, which is $35 for a family of 4-6 who aren't bringing a pie.
Tableware: Please bring a plate, fork, napkin and cup for each attendee. If you need us to provide a plate/fork/napkin for you, please add this to your registration for an additional $3.
Volunteer for free admission: please email slowfoodhuronvalley@gmail.com
Packing list: Your homemade pie (if bringing), your tableware, an index card with the ingredients listed, and ideas for our Pie-ku readings! We also recommend camp chairs or picnic blankets if you have them!
Categories for the Pie Contest
NOTE: Participants will choose the category in which to enter their homemade pies. Participants can enter multiple pies, but only one pie in each category.
Sweet Pie
Savory Pie
Local Pie (using as many local ingredients as you can)
Kids Pie (made by a kid 13 and under)
For each pie that you enter in the contest, we ask that you bring a 4 x 6 card with the name of the dessert and a list of ingredients. It’s usually easiest to do this at home before the event, but we’ll provide you with cards at the event if you need one.
Pie Lovers Unite! began as an event on 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 and have been inspired to honor our pie-baking roots ever since!
If you’re feeling extra inspired and want to share your pie recipe goodness with Slow Food followers, please post it to our Facebook page! We guarantee that everyone will be grateful for extra recipes as fall fruit comes into season.