Wildberry pie wins top honors at annual auction

The annual 4th of July pie baking contest and auction was held on Main prior to the start of the parade Tuesday.

There were 22 pies entered, which raised nearly $1,100 for the Park Rapids Area Library.

The two most "expensive" pies were a Four Wild Berry with Moonshine baked by Terry Novak, and a S'more Pie baked by Cannon Lewis. Both sold for $75 and Novak's pie was also named Best in Show.

Custard/Cream Division

1st place - Mark Bridge, Banana French Cream

2nd place - Brandi Novak, Banana Cream

Double Crust Division

1st place - Terry Novak, Four Wild Berry with Moonshine

2nd place - Serena Kinkel, Strawberry Rhubarb

Single Crust Division

1st place - Stacy Schlieman, Rhubarb Meringue

2nd place - Katie Laxson, Sweetheart Fudge with Chocolate Chip Crust

Juvenile Division (8-12 year old bakers)

1st place - Jordan Novak, Blue Baileys

2nd place - David Bakke, Double Layered Chocolate Peanut Butter with Peanut Butter Crust

Winners were awarded prize money - $35 for 1st place, $15 for 2nd place, $100 for best in show. Prize money was provided by the Park Rapids Friends of the Library.

2017 was the 11th annual pie baking contest and auction. This fundraiser was begun by Chef John Michael Lerma, who worked as the head pie judge until his death in 2013.

This year's judges included Tom Geraedts, Megan Geraedts and Barb Schreiner.

"Support" help included Bob Wills, Sally Wills, Ann Clark, Craig Clark and Nay Lin Tun, a 22-year-old student visiting from Myanmar (Burma).