The Festival at Mount Si lets you indulge your sweet tooth in some berry-licious activities.
Juicy events at this year’s event again include the Burstin’ with Blueberries cooking contest, at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, and the cherry pie eating contest, 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10.
Pie contest
In this competition, hungry competitors attempt to eat as many pies as possible in five minutes. The winner usually eats close to two whole pies, berries, crust and all.
Entrants will be divided into two age groups; ages 5 to 12, and 13 and above. Winners will take home a mini-pig trophy and bragging rights.
Twede’s Cafe, which has sponsored the event since its inception, supplies the fresh-baked, homemade pie.
Participants devise creative stage names to represent themselves, and spectators cheer for their favorites by ‘name’ as competitors pig-out on pie.
Those interested in competing are encouraged to register at 1 p.m. at the information booth on Saturday, as there will only be enough pie for a limited number of adults and children. Then it’s just a matter of working up an appetite and scarfing down as many pies as possible. The event draws upwards of 300 spectators and creates quite a bit of noise.
Contestants need to be at the second stage by 1:45 p.m., and all eaters must fill out a waiver form. Children under 18 must have their parents sign; you must be at least 5 to take part.
The contest has made good use of the staple cherry pies at Twede’s Cafe. The pastries got a shot of fame from the Twin Peaks cult mystery series; Café owner Kyle Twede says he goes through about 70 pies a week.
Twede advises contestants to stretch their stomachs prior to the contest. Another tip: Be hungry.
Blueberries galore
Lower on the mess scale, but just as heavy in food and fun, is the Burstin’ with Blueberries Dessert Contest.
Lifelong foodie and host Jan Marie Johnson started the blueberry dessert contest for cooks throughout the Valley to show what they can do.
Participants whip up their favorite home-made, blueberry-themed desserts to present to the contest judges. You can enter as many dishes as you wish.
“I like to promote the local businesses and berry heritage of the Valley,” Johnson said. “It’s a great time to celebrate the season and what is home grown.”
First, second and third prize winners will each receive a trophy. The top contestant will also take home $25 cash and five pounds of blueberries from the Bybee family farm. Those interested in entering one of their original creations can register at the information booth at 11:45 a.m. Judging begins at 12:30 p.m. and the winners will be announced at 1:15 p.m.
To learn more, contact Cynthia Golpe of My Cakes at cynthia@mycakes.biz.
Or, visit http://www.festivalatmtsi.org/
