Braham is located one hour north of the Twin Cities just off Hwy 65. Most activities take place near Freedom Park, in the downtown area.
For more information call 320-396-4956 or check out the web page to see photos from last year visit the wiki site at http://Brahampieday.pbworks.com. Pie Day is also on Face book.
Music, artisans, and pie at the 22nd annual Braham Pie Day
Friday, August 5th is the 22nd annual Braham Pie Day. The first piece of pie will be served at 10 a.m. in downtown Braham in Freedom Park. Braham is located one hour north of the Twin Cities just off Highway 65 on MN 107.
While eating pie visitors can enjoy the entertainment from Tony Jambor and Friends formerly of the Bel Ray Ballroom, the St. Anthony Brass Quintet that will perform music just right for summertime, Kaivama with music from Finland, Heatherlyn, and the Pie-Alluia Chorus. Guests will also have a chance to meet the Pie Day cast of characters, Mr. Pastry, the Queen of Tarts and once again this year the Pie Poet Laureate. Featured guest is Pie Lady Marjorie Johnson, of Jay Leno fame.
Visitors can partake in the pie baking contest, which opens for submissions at the Braham Ev. Lutheran Church at 8 a.m., with an auction of pies at 3 p.m. Other events include pie eating contests, the pie art, hat, craft, quilt and fashion shows, the Sweet as Pie Collector’s Car Show, and the “Pie in the Sky or Pie in Your Eye” trivia contest. Rock bands perform in the evening beginning at 7 p.m.
Activities continue on Sunday, August 7 with a Community Praise event in Freedom Park.
The event is made possible in part through funding from many local sponsors. Some of them are: Alice Studt, Smith Auction, General Mills, Rural American Bank-Braham, East Central Sanitation, Kanabec Hospital, East Central Energy, Braham Moose Lodge, Don Fiedler Companies, and the City of Braham.
Learn pie making, be a Braham Pie Day volunteer
Folks interested in making a lot of pie should sign up as a volunteer for the Braham Pie Day work days on July 25, 27 and August 4. All this effort leads up to the 22nd annual Braham Pie Day celebration on August 5. Braham is “The Homemade Pie Capital of Minnesota” and is located one hour north of the Twin Cities just off Hwy 65.
The flour is donated by General Mills in memory of Mark Erickson, who was a Braham graduate and General Mills employee.
During two-hour shifts workers mix and weigh pie dough, peel apples, pit cherries, slice peaches and fill and bake pies.
“Experts and beginners work side by side,” says Polly Grossbach, volunteer coordinator. “There are a variety of jobs and you can start as a cherry pitter, then work your way up to become an apple peeler and finally join the ‘Peach People’.”
Call 320-396-2089 to sign up. Clean up occurs at the high school kitchen on Monday, August 8. This activity is made possible in part through support by Braham Area Schools and custodial staff and Aurelius Mftg.
High energy musical groups performs in Braham, MN August 5
August 5 is a high-energy performance day at the “Homemade Pie Capital of Minnesota,” located one hour north of the Twin Cities just off Hwy 65.
At the Pie Day stage in Freedom Park are Tony Jambor and Friends, formerly of the Bel Ray Ballroom, the St. Anthony Brass Quintet, Kaivama with Finnish music, Heatherlyn, featured guests Pie Lady Marjorie Johnson of Jay Leno fame, and the Pie-Alluia Chorus with music and entertainment at this annual event on the first Friday in August. Capping the day are three rock bands from 7 – 10 p.m. of special interest to young people.
Guests can stick around for the weekend to enjoy local blue grass and gospel performers at the evening Community Praise event on Sunday, August 7.
Pie Day stage hosts Tusen Tack Fashion Show
Braham’s second hand clothing shop, Tusen Tack, will host its annual fashion show at Braham Pie Day at 11:45 a.m. on Friday, August 5. Folks interested in modeling should visit the shop on West Central Drive in downtown Braham prior to the festival.
For more information call 320-396-2633.
Geo-caching a la mode at Pie Day
The Braham Park Board will once again offer an activity at Braham Pie Day this year, called Geo-caching ala mode. Participants should stop by the permanent wooden sign in Freedom Park to get the first coordinates. According to Bob Aas, Park board member, this activity is “a little like orienteering, a little like a scavenger hunt.” At each stop along the hunt, participants find the cache, leave something behind and take something out. This will be an opportunity for guests to enjoy several of Braham’s parks.
Colorful characters welcome guests to Braham Pie Day on August 5
Some colorful characters will be adding extra flavor to Braham Pie Day on Friday, August 5 in Freedom Park. Braham is located one hour north of the Twin Cities just off Highway 65.
Look for Mr. Pastry and the Queen of Tarts, hosts at the pie day stage, where they serve as masters of ceremonies all day. They are also in charge of the “Pie in your eye, or pie in the sky” trivia contest at 5 p.m. where teams can compete to show their knowledge about the mathematical symbol pi, the kind of pie you eat and bits of trivia about Braham. To sign up for the trivia contest call 320-396-4956 or stop by the Headquarters Tent on Pie Day. Appearing again is the Pie Poet Laureate, Angela Foster, at the Kids ‘n Berries Tent.
Pie-Alluia Chorus sings at Pie Day
All voices and abilities are invited to join the Pi-Alluia Chorus in Braham, MN. this summer and learn a 30-minute repertoire of pie songs to perform at Braham Pie Day on Friday, August 5.
Braham, located one hour north of the Twin Cities just off Highway 65 is “The Homemade Pie Capital of Minnesota,” and celebrates that status with one-day pie festival each year on the first Friday in August.
The colorful and costumed chorus will perform as roving minstrels at senior living establishments Elmhurst Commons and Park Manor in the 11 o’clock hour, and will sing on the pie stage at 12:30 p.m. in Freedom Park.
A rehearsal is scheduled for Saturday, July 23 at 11 a.m. at the Braham Evangelical Lutheran Church on West Central Drive and Co Rd 4 in Braham. The repertoire includes “Billy Boy,” “Pie in the Sky,” “Paella,” “Sunshine Pie,” “The Rhubarb of My Eye,” the “Pie-Alluia Chorus” and “Pie R Pi” by Malcolm Dalglish.
There is no cost to participate. “If you love to have fun singing, we welcome you,” say choir members. “If you know of some pie songs that we should incorporate into our repertoire, let us know by leaving a message at the Pie Day office, 320-396-4956.
Braham Pie Baking Contest invites participants
Amateur pie bakers are invited to bring their best hand crafted pies to the annual Braham Pie Day pie baking contest on Friday, August 5. Delivery times are 8 to 10 a.m. at the Braham Ev. Lutheran Church on W. Central Drive and Co. Rd. 4. The community is located one hour north of the Twin Cities just of Hwy 65. The Braham Area Committee for Kids (BACK) sponsors this event as a fundraiser for its outdoor recreation projects.
Categories are: fresh fruit and/or cream, single crust baked (includes custard pies), double crust baked, children’s division, ages 8-12 years, apprentice division ages 13-17, and the Lifetime Achievement, ages 70 plus. Bakers should deliver their pies in a nine or ten inch non-returnable pie tin, with recipes included for both crust and filling. There is a modest entry fee for each pie, which will be reviewed by celebrity judges Marjorie Johnson, famous for her pie appearances with Jay Leno, John Michael Lerma who makes appearance on the Fox channel, and Rose McGee, famous for her sweet potato pies, and then sent to the auction with Smith Auction at 3 p.m. on the Pie Day stage in Freedom Park.
Proceeds from the auction sales will help support healthy living for youth through outdoor recreation.
Celebrity Judges Marjorie Johnson, John Michael Lerma and Rose McGee will judge pie baking contest in Braham on August 5
Each year the pie baking contest planners at Braham Pie Day try to find just the right “Celebrity Judges” to come and review the pies submitted for competition. Featured guest, both as a pie judge and with a set on the stage is Pie Lady Marjorie Johnson, of Jay Leno fame. John Michael Lerma, cookbook author, Food Network guest and pie competitor at the Great American Pie Celebration in Florida will join the judging team again this year. Rose McGee, famous for her sweet potato pies, will also return as a judge.
In the past Braham Pie Day has hosted Jane and Michael Stern authors of “Road Food,” Sue Hoss, editor from Country Magazine, Michael Jackson of the American Pie Council, Anne Dimock, pie book author, Mary Bartz of General Mills and associate home economists from the Betty Crocker Kitchens, Wayne Gisslen, author of Professional Baking, Paul Booth from the Minneapolis Community and Technical College, and Chefs Jim Lund and Chris Dwyer.
Judges refer to a list of criteria when tasting each entry and then they will share their thoughts during the 3 p.m. auction, which is a fundraiser for the Braham Area Committee for Kids (BACK). Entry times are 8 to 10 a.m. at the Braham Ev. Lutheran Church, where everyone will get their picture taken and have a chance to meet other contestants to talk about pie. For more information about the contest call 320-396-4956.
Bidders at the 3 p.m. pie auction can hear the judge’s comments regarding the winning pies. A continuing feature appears at the auction with the “Pie of the Month” item. “Be the highest bidder and you will get a wonderful Braham pie baked fresh each month,” says coordinator Marie Meyer. These highly qualified Braham bakers will contribute: Judy Olson the 2010 champion, Andrea Bruce, Lou Klemz and Cindy Shockman.
How Fast Can You Eat Pie? Come to Braham on August 5
Braham Pie Day offers two opportunities to eat pie as quickly as possible at the one-day festival on Friday, August 5. Speedy pie eating is the main criteria to win the junior or senior pie-eating contests at 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. in Freedom Park on Main Street. Braham is located one hour north of the Twin Cities on Hwy 107 just off Hwy 65.
The winners will get their 15 minutes of fame and possibly a photo in the local papers following the event. Contest organizer Ellen Cunningham says, “Fame does not seem to be the motivator for our contestants. We’re not sure why they choose to participate, but we know that the audience absolutely loves to watch.”
Each competitor eats a whole pie made of graham cracker crust, filled with blueberries and topped with whipped cream. Please call 320-396-4956 to register to become one of the seven candidates in either contest.
Test your Pie and Pi Knowledge at the “Pie in Your Eye or Sky” contest in Braham, MN
Folks who know a lot about pies and a little about the mathematical symbol pi are invited to form a team for the 5th annual “Pie in Your Eye or Pie in the Sky Trivia Contest,” which takes place at 5 p.m. Braham Pie Day on Friday August 5, in Freedom Park located on Hwy 107 in downtown Braham, “The Homemade Pie Capital of Minnesota.”
Mr. Pastry and the Queen of Tarts work hard all year to come up with questions to test the mettle of contestants. They say that it will also help if teams know something about the town of Braham. Contestants who want to study can purchase a Braham history book at Braham Country Floral.
The goal is to get the most answers right and win a modest prize. The team with the lowest score gets to throw a pie in each other’s face. There is no fee to enter.
Art & Craft Show is a big feature of Braham Pie Day August 5
One great place to shop while at Braham Pie Day is the art and craft show, on Friday August 5 in Freedom Park adjacent to Hwy 107. Braham is located one hour north of the Twin Cities just of Hwy 65.
Crafters will sell their colorful array of original crafts, pie designs and folk art items between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Pie Day Memorabilia is featured item at Headquarters Tent
The Headquarters Tent is the place to go on Friday, August 5 for some pie related shopping as well as for door prize drawing registrations. This is located in Freedom Park, downtown Braham, along Highway 107, one hour north of the Twin Cities.
Items making a repeat appearance for guest’s convenience are the limited edition 22nd annual pie day t-shirt, dishtowels with new and contemporary colors, and the commemorative pie tin stamped by Aurelius Manufacturing. All items are printed with the Pie Day logo. There are still a few of the 20th annual commemorative Pie Day cookbook complete with stories.
Margo Gerdin Gulbranson will serve as host at the Headquarters Tent, where guests can also sign up for door prize drawings and get information about the festival. This is also the place to go to mark your hometown on the world map.
Headquarters will begin sales at 10 a.m.
Grasshopper Pie Walk featured Braham Pie Day, August 5
As the Braham Pie Ballad says the homemade pies in Braham have “lots of calories.” So to provide a way to be proactive about eating one or more pieces of pie at the annual Braham Pie Day celebration, Nature’s Way Chiropractic Clinic invites guests to join them in the Grasshopper Pie Walk. Participants should meet at the clinic on West Central Drive just before 9 a.m. on Friday August 5. Prizes are part of the experience, plus the knowledge that you have found a way to add in your daily exercise with a hometown celebration. The walk is free and open to all.
Braham, which is located one hour north of the Twin Cities, has a series of pie walking trails, all named after different kinds of pie. This was a project of Active Living by Design, an award winning endeavor as part of Isanti County Parks and Recreation. Signage shows clearly where to walk, so guests are welcome to come to town any day, enjoy some pie at the Park Café, and then walk off the calories.
For more information call 320.396.3375.
Heartland Express provides Park and Ride at Pie Day
For ease and convenience in parking, Braham Pie Day guests can choose to park and ride between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, August 5 in Braham. The Chisago Isanti Heartland Express does the driving and picks up passengers at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Elmhurst Commons and Park Manor and drops them at City Hall.
Organizers of the Small Quilts Show and the Pie-cycle Show, located on 2nd St. SW, especially invite bus riders to visit their exhibits while waiting for the shuttle.
Pie-kus, pie improvisation and pie runes at Kids ‘N Berries Children’s Tent in Braham on August 5
Children who enjoy making arts and crafts are invited to the Kids ‘n Berries Tent at Braham Pie Day on Friday, August 5, at the south end of Freedom Park. Local artists will provide a variety of activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Once again featured offerings are pie-kus with Angela Foster the Pie Poet Laureate. Patty Wagner, pie art curator, will offer air-dry clay and scratch art classes during the day.
9th Annual Sweet As Pie Car Show featured at Braham Pie Day
Vintage and collector’s cars will appear on 3rd street SW during Braham Pie Day in the Sweet as Pie Collector’s Car Show on Friday, August 5. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Braham is located one hour north of the Twin Cities on Highway 107 just off Hwy 65.
All are invited to vote for the people’s choice award, which will be announced on the main stage just before the pie auction.
Sponsors for the show are the family and friends of Doug Severson and Star 95 Car Wash. For more information call Steve Wilson at 320.396.3586.
5th Annual Antique and Collectors Pie-cycle Show at Braham Pie Day
Since environmental concerns help us think about the being “green,” Braham Pie Day is encouraging bicycle riding at its Pie-cycle Show on Friday, August 5, located at 2nd St SW near Genesis Wireless. Bikes of all ages and descriptions will be featured. To enter the show, or to get more information call 320-396-4956.
22nd Annual Celebration of pie culture in Braham
The culture of pie is going to be re-invented for the 22nd time at Braham Pie Day, a one-day festival on Friday, August 5 in Braham, the “Homemade Pie Capital of Minnesota.” The community is located one hour north of the Twin Cities just off Highway 65. This year visitors can also come back to Braham for a Community Praise event on Sunday August 7 at 6:30 p.m.
This day of family entertainment includes a small quilts show, crafters, a collector’s car show, an antique bicycle show, an art show, a pie trivia contest called “Pie in the Sky or Pie in Your Eye,” an amateur pie-baking contest, two pie eating contests, rock bands in the evening and over 1100 homemade pies made by Pie Day volunteers, participants in the pie baking contest, and created by the Park Café restaurant. Children are invited to participate in the Kids ‘N Berries children’s art tent and art show activities.
Pie has inspired members of the Braham community to write songs, odes, ballads, raps, plays, poems, make murals, videos, street puppets, flags and folk costumes. Folks live by the motto, “You can’t help but smile when you say ‘pie’.”
Featured performers this year are Tony Jambor and Friends, formerly of the Bel Ray Ballroom, the St. Anthony Brass Quintet, Pie Lady Marjorie Johnson of Jay Leno fame, Kaivama performing Finnish music, Heatherlyn, Mr. Pastry, the Queen of Tarts, the Pie-Alluia Chorus and rock bands produced by Braham native Kyle Glidden.
Guests are invited to stay for the weekend and enjoy the Community Praise event at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 7, located in Freedom Park.
Small Quilts Show makes annual appearance at Braham Pie Day in EC Minnesota
The Hands All Around Quilt Guild invites quilters and viewers to enjoy the annual Small Quilts Show held at Braham City Hall during Braham Pie Day on Friday, August 5. The show opens at 10 a.m. and invites guests to vote for the “Peoples’ Choice” award.
Pie is the theme for Art and hat show in Braham
Artists from all over are invited to use pie as a muse for creating art. The pie art show curator Patty Wagner urges folks to consider the kind of pie you eat, the mathematical symbol pi, or what is involved in raising, harvesting or preparing pie ingredients. The Pie Art and Hat show runs from the first Friday in August for three weeks at the APH Law office on south Main Street in Braham. Continuing this year is a children’s division.
All forms are media are encouraged. All ages are invited to enter at no cost. There are modest pie related prizes donated by many local sponsors. Winners will be announced at the Pie Day stage at 5:50 p.m. on Friday August 5. Artists should deliver work to the East Central Arts Council office on Wednesday, August 3 2:30 – 4:30 to be considered for judging.
