Apple Pies Galore at the Manassas July 4th Celebration

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Amateur bakers had the opportunity to enter their best in the Apple Pie Baking Contest during the Celebrate America festival on July 4 in Old Town Manassas. Judges included Mayor Hal Parrish, Okra’s and Foundation owner Charles Gilliam, Executive Chef Matthew Wood of Okra’s and Foundation, and Old Town business owner Bren Compton, who was also a judge at the Great American Pie Festival in Florida in April. Ten  residents from Manassas and Gainesville entered their homemade pies this year.

Held at the Harris Pavilion just as the afternoon thunder storm blew in, the contest quickly drew a crowd from festival attendees seeking shelter from the rain. Manassas resident Porsha Poteet drew the most nods from the judges, awarding her pie the blue ribbon and first place prize of $100.00. Appropriately enough, Poteet credits a recipe book by Maria Polushkin Robbins, Blue Ribbon Pies, for her prize winning apple pie. 

Second place winner Jamie Jackson of Manassas took second prize of $75, and Ms. Coe Coughanour was awarded the third place prize of $50.00. For more information on Historic Manassas Inc. and other events in Old Town Manassas, visit their website at www.visitmanasas.org.