Contests

Every year, we celebrate the Gravenstein apple with beloved competitions including apple balancing, apple juggling, apple pie baking, and caramel apple eating.

Our contests are fun, FREE, and open to all ages and abilities!

The Kids’ Caramel Apple Contest has limited space. Sign up at the Information Booth the morning of the day you want to participate. Signup sheets are available at 10:30 am on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Apple Juggling and Apple Balancing contests do not require a sign-up — show up 5 minutes early and join the fun!

Contestants for juggling, balancing, and caramel apple eating should gather near Ag Games (Farm Bureau Arena for Caramel Apple Contest) at least 5 minutes before contest is to begin.

Pie Baking Competition registration follows a separate process, detailed below.

Apple Pie Baking Contest: Youth & Adults
FREE to Enter – Sunday, August 9

CONTEST RULES

1. Pre-registration is required. Registration is now closed.
2. Only Sonoma County-grown Gravenstein apples may be used. We kindly ask that all-natural, readily available ingredients are used. 
3. All pies must be submitted to the Info Booth on Sunday, August 9, by 11 am. Fair admission ticket required to submit pies; no exceptions.
4. All contestants must submit a contest entry form and recipe. For contestants under 18, a parent or guardian must grant permission to enter.
5. Pies must be submitted with contestant’s name and phone number on the tin, and covered.
6. Only one pie per contestant permitted.
7. The Gravenstein Apple Fair is not responsible for unclaimed pie tins.
8. Farm Trails staff are ineligible to enter.

TWO CATEGORIES

• Adult (ages 18+)
• Youth (17 and under)

WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED: Sunday, August 9, 1:15 pm, Farm Bureau Arena. Winners will receive ribbons and special prizes thanks to Sebastopol Hardware Center. Join us for a tribute to the late Betty Carr of Mom’s Apple Pie, as her family will in attendance and help announce the winners. Need not be present to win. Unclaimed prizes will be transferred to our office; contact us to schedule a pickup.

JUDGES:

• Betsy Fischer, retired Director of SRJC’s Culinary Arts Program
• Clark Wolf, James Beard Award winner & radio personality
• Donna del Rey, Relish Culinary Adventures
• Emily Ash Lamb, The Good Food Hour
• Sebastopol Mayor Jill McLewis
• Ozzy Jimenez, Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar
• Sean McGaughey, Quail & Condor / Troubadour
• Stephanie Klassen, chef & cookbook author

Ag Contests

Check out the rest of our friendly competitions happening at the Ag Games. For the purposes of the apple contests (excluding pie baking) kids are under 12; adults 13+.

(NOTE: Schedule & offerings subject to change.)