Summer is for eating pie and enjoying the sun - Boundary style at Pie in July
By BoundaryMuseum
What could be better than enjoying the sun and eating home-made pie? Well, over 120 people attended the Boundary Museum’s first ever Pie in July event held last Saturday at the museum’s new home, the Fructova Heritage Site to do just that.
The pie and July idea was conceived last year by summer students, Allie and Stepan. It began when the students were trying to think of a way to utilize the traditional Doukhobor oven located on site at the museum. When the students learned that the museum’s new location, “Fructova”, meant “of the fruit” in Russian, they quickly combined the idea of fruit, baking, and famous Doukhobor hospitality into Pie in July!
The idea was brought to life this year by staff and many dedicated volunteers. Although the traditional oven was not in operation, visitors still enjoyed a variety of fruit pies, which were on sale as a part of a museum fundraiser. There were many activities for kids including the “Find the Pie” challenge, face painting, apple bobbing, and the Grand Forks Credit Union’s Success by 6 fish pond.
Guests were also treated to live entertainment by Brown Bag Theatre and musical guests, Phase 4. Rivers’ Edge Theatre gave lessons on theatre swordplay, which entertained participants and spectators alike.
However, some of the best entertainment came from the watermelon and pie eating contest sponsored by Overwaitea Foods. Six participants ages four to 23 had two minutes to eat as much watermelon as they could in order to qualify for the pie eating contest. All the participants did so well that everyone moved on to the pie round.
In the end, Will Kaufman was the first place pie-guzzler receiving a gift basket donated by the Grand Forks Credit Union. Tate Kaufman and Thomas Hecht followed close behind receiving second and third place respectively.
Unlike the pie-eating contestants, judges of the official Pie in July baking contest got to savour their slices as they carefully judged the 12 entries based on qualities such as appearance, texture, creativity, and taste.
The four judges, including Grand Forks city councillors and a Boundary Museum representative, ultimately declared Tom Bader’s apple-cinnamon pie the winner. Mary Makortoff took second place and Shelly Grandy third. These three finalists each received a museum membership and their very own lawn chair in recognition of their baking expertise.
The museum staff had such fun that they hope to make Pie in July an annual affair. They would also like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the donors and volunteers that made the event a scrumptious success!
