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Pies, cakes, and cookies filled the bandstand at the
75th Atlanta Fall Festival as community members gathered for the
annual bake-off and auction, one of the festival’s oldest
traditions. For more than eight years, Jessica Hubrich has organized
the event, ensuring that the sweet contest remains a cornerstone of
the celebration.
“It’s one of the earliest traditions of the festival, and I didn’t
want to see it disappear,” Hubrich explained. “I love coming back,
seeing familiar faces, and watching people bid against each other.
It keeps small-town festivals alive.”
This year’s judging panel included Austin Garriott, Caleb Plum, and
Zane Hubrich (Jessica Hubrich’s eldest son), who sampled dozens of
entries across pies, cakes, cookies, quick breads, and cupcakes. The
competition was fierce, with bakers of all ages putting their best
recipes forward.
The judges said they were impressed by the quality and variety of
entries. “A lot of great pies, good cakes and cupcakes,” said Austin
Garriott. “It was fun to see the talent people brought out.” Caleb
Plum noted that while he had judged other contests before, this was
his first time tasting baked goods.
Several bakers rose to the top in their respective categories.
Stella Polley earned first place in quick breads with her pumpkin
chocolate chip loaf, while Luke Wibben’s lemon blueberry cake
claimed first place in the cake division. Emma Ribble’s carrot cake
with pecans rounded out the cakes with a third-place finish.
In cookies, Maliyah Thompson’s snickerdoodles won first place, while
Reed Polley’s cookies and cream variety secured second. Cupcakes
proved especially competitive: Kendall Limbach’s vanilla velvet
cupcakes with lemon filling took third, Jamie Wibben’s apple cider
cupcakes earned second, and Owen Wibben’s strawberry cupcake not
only won first in the youth cupcake division but also earned the
title of Grand Champion Youth Cupcake.
Pies brought some of the highest accolades. Jamie Wibben’s pecan pie
earned first place in the single-crust division, while Marsha Roe’s
double-crust cherry pie came in second. Shawn Halley stood out with
two winning entries: his peach, plum, and dark cherry pie was
awarded first place in the double-crust category and named Grand
Champion Pie, while his bourbon pear pie took second in the
single-crust class. Sara Schaeffer’s salted caramel apple pie
received third place honors.
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Once the ribbons were handed out, the
auctioneer took over, encouraging attendees to “bid high and bid
often.” The baked goods did not disappoint. Some pies reached bids
of $150, with the proceeds going back into the festival to cover
prizes, ribbons, and community events. “The money keeps the festival
running year after year,” Jessica Hubrich noted.
Local buyers eagerly raised their paddles. Community members like
Rick Merrill, Kerry Cook, and Jessica McLuran took home prized baked
goods, while bidding sheets showed totals climbing into the
thousands. In all, the auction generated more than $1,600,3
reflecting the generosity of attendees and the popularity of the
competition.
While the competition brought moments of excitement,
the underlying theme was one of continuity. “Small-town festivals
are so important,” Hubrich said. “I hope they never fade out,
because they bring people together in ways nothing else can.”
With Grand Champion titles awarded, spirited bidding concluded, and
plates of sweets heading home with happy buyers, the Atlanta Fall
Festival once again proved that the recipe for community is best
served with tradition—and plenty of sugar.
[Sophia Larimore]
[Text from file received] |
