Tammy Curtis, Managing Editor

After getting both a literal and proverbial taste of the pie at the 2019 Arkansas Pie Festival in Cherokee Village, Covid starved out the event for two long years. This year, it is back again and promises to be just as much fun when it returns to Cherokee Village’s Town Center on April 16. 

What could be more fun than eating as much pie as one wants for a great cause?

Pie lovers from across the state will convene on Cherokee Village to enjoy the event. The 2019 Arkansas Pie Festival brought over 700 people out for friendly competition.  20 professional pie makers from around the state fired up their ovens to show off their baking skills for the judges. 

Smells of fresh baked goodness permeated the area around Town Center.  Both amateur and student bakers pies were on display and later auctioned off to raise money 

Judges and the public were able to share in the festival’s pies while enjoying music, food, a pie eating contest and even throwing contests at the festival. 

Attendees could even purchase pies in the Pie Shop to savor later or share with those who were fortunate enough to attend. 

Kat Robinson, Arkansas Travel writer and one of Arkansas’ leading pie authorities, served as the Arkansas Pie Festival Co-Chair. Kat has written the book on Arkansas Pie, Another Slice of Arkansas Pie, and released a second edition.

The event, sponsored by the Spring River Innovation Hub, brought contestant’s from across the state to compete for one of the coveted titles given for baking the state’s favorite deserts and bragging rights. 

Many attendees were introduced to the beauty of Cherokee Village for the first time. The event is certain to grow as the statewide competition grows each year.  Visit the official website for more information

This year’s event, Hooked on a Filling, will benefit Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) programming and education through the Spring River Innovation Hub. 

Visit https://www.arkansaspiefestival.com for tickets, race information and entry forms.

Come out to Cherokee Village and enjoy a great day of food, friends, family and fun at the Pie Festival.

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For the first time ever, the Pie Festival is also including the Inaugural Pie Day 5k that will be held in conjunction with the festival. 

“We’re going to get our steps in…before we gorge ourselves on pie,” a spokesman for the event explained. 

The Pie Festival has partnered with Emerson, White River Health System and Stearnes Racing to provide a top-notch race experience.

For more information and for entry, visit the arkansaspiefestival.com.