National Pie Day
From chicken to apple, pecan to mushroom, indulge in classic pastry stuffed with any filling you fancy by visiting a bakery or hosting a pie contest.
We’re going to need more days in the year if we want to have a celebration for every type of food in existence. Luckily, most of the important foods, such as pie, already have their assigned dates!
National Pie Day is, as you might expect, a glorious opportunity to celebrate all of the wonderful things about pie.
Whether it’s sweet fruit pies, meat-filled pies with gravy or those silly whipped cream pies that people throw for comical effect, no pie is left out during pie day and they all have an opportunity to shine!
Pies have been around for thousands of years and the recipe hasn’t changed much. It’s still a pastry that’s filled with something, either sweet or savory, and served on a plate or dish that it’s baked in.
It’s simple, it’s effective and it’s incredibly filling. But what exactly do people do on National Pie Day and what is it all about?
Most people see National Pie Day as an opportunity to stuff themselves with all different types of pie. This may be especially easy during National Pie Day as many stores and bakeries have started to celebrate it, offering discounts or even free pies as part of the celebration.
However, others prefer to use National Pie Day as an excuse to bake something of their own, usually with the intention of sharing it with friends and family members. Even if you don’t have a clue how to bake, this might be a perfect opportunity to learn!
History of National Pie Day
National Pie Day was started in the mid-1970s by Charlie Papazian. Papazian worked as a nuclear engineer in Boulder, Colorado but also had experience as a brewer and teacher. We’re not sure why he decided to do it, but he declared that his birthdate would also be known as National Pie Day!
Everyone seemed to agree (who wouldn’t agree to a pie day?) and ever since 1986, it has become an official celebration that is even sponsored by the American Pie Council.
It’s a bit different from National Pi Day, which celebrates the mathematical constant π.
How to Celebrate National Pie Day
Celebrating National Pie Day can be easy even if it is fairly obvious–just eat pie! Whether it’s a delicious blueberry pie from your local bakery or a filling chicken pot pie for dinner, there are countless different options for giving pie a rightful nod, and they all deserve your attention.
In fact, you could probably serve pie for all three meals of the day if you really put some effort and creativity into it!
Consider these interesting ways to celebrate this auspicious day centered around golden crusts filled with tasty goodness:
Start Making Pies
Although it is possible to simply buy the pies from a bakery or store (especially because there will likely be sales or even free pie!), we do suggest trying to make your own pies.
This will give a greater appreciation for pie as you can learn more about the process, pick up some new cooking skills, and maybe even learn the history of pies and how they were made in the past.
Host a Pie Bake Off
Invite friends, family or co-workers to a National Pie Day bakeoff challenge. Whether choosing sweet or savory, it’s always loads of fun to gather people around a common interest (and what could be more interesting than pie?).
However, the champion of the pie contest could win a creative prize such as a special parking spot at work, a free lunch, or even a giant box filled with pie baking supplies.
Of course, those volunteering to be judges are the real winners because they get to taste all of the scrumptious pies!
Watch a Pie-Themed Film
Okay, a film centered completely around pie probably wouldn’t be that great. After all, it would probably just make people want to eat!
However, some films have scenes that feature prominently within their larger plots. Check out these films and see if you can spot the pie themes (note: these may not be suitable for younger watchers):
- Labor Day. Released in 2014, starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin, this romantic thriller focuses on the relationship between a single mom and an escaped convict. In one scene (which was used in advertisements by the American Pie Council) the making of a peach pie is featured.
- Waitress. This 2007 comedy stars Keri Russell as a server in a small town who enters a pie bakeoff that she hopes will lead her away from her abusive husband.
- Blazing Saddles. This 1974 Mel Brooks western satire includes a memorable pie fight near the end of the film, where hijinx and mishaps ensue.
- Julie & Julia. Inspirational for those who love to cook, this 2009 film is about a young woman’s experience with cooking for a year from Julia Child’s cookbook. The beginning features a chocolate cream pie that is to-die-for, but the whole film is sure to cause taste buds to demand something yummy!
Play Pie-Themed Music
Most people don’t think about the fact that many songs and poems have been written around the theme of pie.
From oldies to metal to pop, pie songs have been made available for more than 40 years, no matter what kind of musical taste a person has.
Filling a playlist with pie-themed tunes can be fun and entertaining with songs such as these:
- “Bye Bye Miss American Pie” by Don McLean 1971
- “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” by The Four Tops 1965
- “Wild Honey Pie” by The Beatles 1968
- “Custard Pie” by Led Zeppelin 1975
National Pie Day is a fun and exciting day to celebrate, and it gets even wackier when you include fun music, films, and delicious desserts.
People get up to all sorts of crazy things on social media in honor of this day. You’ll find lots of fun pictures of people gorging on pies, you might come across some new pie recipes and you might even learn a few pie-related facts!
National Pie Day FAQs
Who introduced pie to America?
British settlers brought pies to the American colonies. Pies, particularly apple pie, became a staple in American cuisine.
Why are pies often associated with the Fourth of July?
Early American settlers linked pies with patriotism and family celebrations, especially around national holidays like July 4th.
What is the “pieing” tradition?
Throwing a cream pie as a prank has origins in slapstick comedy, dating back to silent films of the early 1900s.
Did medieval pies include fruit?
Early pies, called “coffyns,” were often savory with meats. Fruit pies gained popularity in the 16th century.
Is pie popular globally?
Yes, each region has its variations. For instance, Australia loves meat pies, while Japan has pies filled with sweet beans.
Why do we say “easy as pie”?
This phrase likely emerged in the 19th century, highlighting how easy it is to enjoy pie rather than to bake it.
Which pie holds the Guinness record?
The world’s largest pie weighed over 10 tons and was filled with apples in 1982 in Ontario, Canada.
What superstitions surround pie baking?
Some believe cutting a pie before it cools brings bad luck, especially in rural U.S. traditions.
Why is “mince pie” linked to Christmas?
Medieval mince pies included meat, symbolizing offerings to bring good fortune in the new year.
What is the history of pie contests?
The earliest American pie contests began in 19th-century county fairs to showcase homemaking skills.
Need some inspiration?
Check out these videos for some extra inspiration in getting involved!
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