Faces, meet pies: High-stakes gorging at Twede’s Cherry Pie Eating Contest

Kids and adults get messy and very, very full in the Twede’s Cafe Cherry Pie Eating Contest, happening at 2:15 p.m. at the Community Stage.

Kids and adults get messy and very, very full in the Twede’s Cafe Cherry Pie Eating Contest, happening at 2:15 p.m. at the Community Stage.

In this competition, hungry challengers attempt to eat as many pies as possible in five minutes. The winner usually eats close to two whole pies, fruit, crust and all.

Entrants will be divided into two age groups; age 5 to 12, and 13 and above. Winners will take home a mini-pig trophy and bragging rights.

Twede’s Cafe, which has sponsored the event since its inception, supplies the fresh-baked, homemade pies.

Participants devise creative stage names to represent themselves, and spectators cheer for their favorites by ‘name’ as competitors pig-out on pie.

Those interested in competing are encouraged to register at 1 p.m. at the information booth on Saturday, as there will only be enough pie for a limited number of adults and children. Then it’s just a matter of working up an appetite and scarfing down as many pies as possible. The event draws upwards of 300 spectators and creates quite a bit of noise.

Contestants need to be at the stage by 1:45 p.m., and all eaters must fill out a waiver form. Children under 18 must have their parents sign; you must be at least age 5 to take part.

The contest has made good use of the staple cherry pies at Twede’s Cafe. The pastries got a shot of fame from the Twin Peaks cult mystery series; Cafe owner Kyle Twede says he goes through about 70 pies a week. They’re Twede’s most popular item.

Twede advises contestants to stretch their stomachs prior to the contest. Another tip: Be hungry.