A few years ago when Leon Thompson auctioned the prize-winning pie at the Kincaid Fair I couldn’t resist.
Two reasons: I’m a fool for a good homemade pie — which it most certainly was — and I wanted to make a contribution to support the fair, one of the best of all fall festivals in this neck of the woods.
The pie wasn’t the first, or last, I won in the annual auction at Kincaid. It was overflowing with blackberries and sweet, but not too sweet, with crust so flaky you could count the layers. I still salivate at the thought of another piece.
During judging I watched closely and saw many other entries that surely just missed winning top prize. When push came to shove at the auction, the blackberry dandy kept calling my name, and I couldn’t bring myself not to respond.
When I got home I cut it into 12 pieces — it was oversize, compared to what you usually find — and planned to save part of wife Beverly, due home in a few days from a New Mexico journey to see daughter Brenda and her gang.
Some was left when Beverly arrived — one meager piece. The other 11 disappeared quickly, particularly when I added a dollop of ice cream
Talk about being in hog heaven.
I also bought a pie a time or two at Colony Days, and found them to die for. It’s likely many of the same bakers participate in each contest.
A sense of community, getting in and participating, if only by buying a pie or, in Farm-City Days’ case trying to find the medallion, is what going to all these fall jamborees is about.
Have a good time — throw your inhibitions aside and get a little silly now and then — but by all means take in as many of the events as you can.
Along the way, on Sept. 30 drop by Humboldt Historical Society museums on the west edge of town (a couple of blocks north of the water plant) and join in our annual Appreciation Day. You can count on a free hot-dog and a mighty interesting collection that gives vivid view of yesteryear Humboldt.
Elsmore and Colony days are behind us. Moran’s celebration is today, and then there are Kincaid, Biblesta and Farm-City Days.
I guess what I’m getting at is we’re very fortunate to have a gaggle of fall events, all within easy driving distance, where you’ll run into old friends, make new ones and have a whale of a good time.
At each stop small armies of people give unselfishly of their time and talents to make their happenings as good as it can be. But none would amount to a hoot if you and I and many others didn’t crowd in.
Organizers don’t beg attention, but it is incumbent on each of us not only to thank them for their efforts but also show our enthusiasm by coming early and staying late.
At Week’s End: Blackberry pie, a winner any way it’s sliced
