SHENANDOAH VALLEY APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL

                REGIONAL APPLE PIE BAKING CONTEST

SATURDAY, SEPT 20, 2025

                                  

 

JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE OUR 50TH YEAR!

  

The Rotary Club of Winchester is pleased to once again sponsor an Apple Pie Baking Contest open to both students (ages 12-18) and adults (age 19 and up!).Regional contestants will compete in one of these two age categories and both First Place ($100) and Second Place ($50) awards will be presented to the winners in both age categories.  In case of a tie in scores, Rotary will duplicate the cash prize so that both winners will receive the full amount.  

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS WITH A MAXIMUM OF 12 PIES ACCEPTED IN EACH OF THE TWO AGE CATEGORIES.

The contest will take place in Clear Brook, VA, at 12:15 pm on Saturday, September 20th, 2025, in conjunction with Rotary’s Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest
Festival at the Frederick County Fairgrounds. All pies must be delivered to the pavilion (across from Whitacre Bldg. look for signage) inside the festival between 11:15 am and noon.  Pies will not be accepted before 11:15 am and pies not received by noon will not be judged. Judges will rate each pie based on its appearance, the texture of the crust and filling, and flavor.  

Every contestant entering the contest will receive free admission to the festival, a gift bag from Rotary, a name badge, and two additional complimentary festival admissions for family or friends.  The gatekeepers have been instructed to allow pie bakers and their two guests through the gates. Please identify yourself at the admissions gate.

The festival is traditionally held rain or shine.  Should the contest need to be cancelled due to an unforeseen event, contestants and/or their parents/guardians will be notified personally at their home phone number or cell phone number.  Please make certain that a number is provided on the OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM so we can reach a contestant or, where appropriate, a parent or guardian to convey this information, if needed.

Please fill out the OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM and email the information to(patriciadstiles@gmail.com). All forms must be received by 3:00 pm on Thursday, September 18th.  For more information, contact Tricia Simpson at the email address provided above or call her at 540-878-0802 (cell).

Call her at 540-878-0802 (cell).

 

                Presented by the Rotary Club of Winchester         

Scoring Sheet          

 

Judge’s Initials______                                                       Entry #  _______

 

                                            

                                           

                                              SCORE SHEET

                                       Apple Pie Baking Contest

                        Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival

                            

Max. Pts.     Score

Appearance: Even, full, evenly browned and golden in tone, flaky appearance. 15   __________
Texture: Crust is thin and tender with a flaky crust 25  __________
Filling: Full, apples should be done; however, they should hold their shape and not be mushy; consistency should not be stiff or runny 25  __________
Flavor: Good blend of flavors; pastry should not be starch or pasty, spices and seasoning should enhance the flavor of the apples, not overpower them. 35  __________
Total: ___________
Judge’s Comments:

 

                              RULES OF PROCEDURE 

 

1. Contestants must bring an apple pie that has been baked and is ready for judging.  The pie must have been made by the contestant alone, using only fresh apples and a homemade pie crust.
2. Any variety of fresh apples may be used.  You may not use canned or frozen apples.
3. The pie must have a homemade double-crust pastry.  The top crust must be in one piece.  Lattice crusts are not permitted.  You may not use a mix or a frozen pastry crust.
4. The pie must be baked in a 9”, clear (not smoked or opaque) glass pie dish.
5. The contestant’s recipe must be typed or printed on an 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper and may not contain the contestant’s name.  Pies will not be accepted without an accompanying recipe.
6. Pies must be delivered to the Pie Judging Area under the pavilion across from the Whitacre Bldg. during the festival at the Frederick County Fairgrounds in Clear Brook, VA, between 11:15 am and noon. Pies not received by noon on the day of the contest will not be judged.
7. Judging will begin at 12:15pm and may be observed by friends, family, and the general public.  Awards will be announced no earlier than 1:30 pm.  The time of the awards announcement will depend on when the judging is completed and the scores are tallied to determine the winners. Monetary awards will be presented to the First- and Second-Place winners in both the student and adult categories.  
8. Completed score sheets will be available at the close of the contest for each contestant who requests them.  Please ensure that you take only the score sheets identified with your assigned number.  This is the contestant’s responsibility.
9. All pie dishes must be picked up at the close of the contest.  The Rotary Club is not responsible for dishes that are not retrieved by the contestants or their representatives.

                                        GOOD LUCK!!!!!