Great American Pie Festival Returns to Celebration, FL

The 2008 Great American Pie Festival just wrapped up in Celebration, FL this weekend. The festivities in Lakeside Park were part of the 2008 American Pie Council Crisco National Pie Championships, which took place at the Orlando Sun Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, FL. As the event has increased in popularity, so have the number of pies entered; in the amateur division alone, there were 300 pies and 80 entrants competing from 22 states.

Whether or not visitors were entered in the contest, everyone who attended the Great American Pie Festival had a chance to sample pies from Baker’s Square, Publix, and other professional bakeries at the Never-Ending Pie Buffet. A Kids Zone enabled budding bakers to make their own artwork and edible creations, and Food Network personality Gale Gand charmed her audience with a cooking demonstration. The Food Network camera crew was on hand to capture the excitement of the competition, and a special program about the Pie Championship will air later this year.