Talk about a GREAT day! National Apple Pie Day is on May 13, and there’s no better way to celebrate a spring Saturday than savoring a slice of apple, cinnamon, and golden crust goodness. Apple pies go back to the Middle Ages – who knew? – when a Dutch recipe was published back in 1514. The English history of apple pie dates to the time of Chaucer while the gold standard (the golden apple standard?) for Sweden is the apple crumble. Leave it to the French to update the basic apple pie with the smoky, sweet flavor of caramelized apples. Then they turned it upside down to create a tarte tatin. Yum.
Apple pies came to the colonies in the 17th century, and we’ve been enjoying them ever since. Interestingly, apples weren’t native to the US, but after being introduced, apples and apple pie have become synonymous with America – “as American as apple pie,” being a famous way to identify something as being quintessentially American.

Tasty Apple Pie at the Gravenstein Apple Fair
You know where you can get amazing apple pie? At the Gravenstein Apple Fair, of course! Mark your calendar for Aug. 12 – 13, 2023 and be sure to visit Apple Alley where all things Gravenstein apple will be found at the Fair, including apples by the pound, juice, applesauce, and everybody’s favorite – pie.
The Healdsburg French bakery Costeaux costeaux.com will be selling light as air, delectable apple pies with a generous helping of that fabulous French flavor. And, of course, longtime Fair vendor and Sonoma County institution, Mom’s momsapplepieusa.com will be in Apple Alley, satisfying any apple pie obsession guests may have.

Fun with Apples… Pies, that is
There’s also every kid’s favorite: the apple pie eating contest. We all know that pie is fantastic but try eating it with your hands tied behind your back. It’s not easy!
This year’s Fair will also see the return of the Apple Pie Baking Contest! If you can bake a fantastic apple pie, then this contest is for you. Check back on this site to learn more about the contest as well as get some tips and tricks from previous winners for how to create the tastiest pie using our own heritage apple – the Gravenstein.
Again, be sure to set aside Aug. 12-13, 2023, to visit the Fair at beautiful Ragle Ranch Park in Sebastopol, CA.
We’ll see you at the Fair!