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Annual Cherry Pie Celebration at
Loveland Museum/Gallery
Friday, July 10 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
The Loveland Museum/Gallery will hold its Annual
Cherry Pie Celebration on Friday, July 10 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. The
event takes place outdoors in Peters Park, which adjoins south side of
the Museum on Fifth Street between Lincoln and Cleveland Avenues.
Admission to the Cherry Pie Celebration is free.
Slices of cherry pie from Schmidt’s Bakery & Delicatessen, ice cream and
drinks will be sold.
Entertainment will feature Shawn Waggoner & the
Tumblyweeds between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. and Pairadeux from 7:40 through
9:00 p.m.
This year marks the return of a best cherry pie
contest, Art of the Tart 2009. Cherry pies must be delivered to the
judging table between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m., where entry forms will be
available. A typed list of pie ingredients and cooking methods is
required, however permission must be granted publication. Judging takes
place between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m., with 1st, 2nd
and 3rd place winners announced at 7:20 p.m. Pies will be
judged on appearance, top and bottom crust, taste and texture of
filling, and overall enjoyment. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded.
The Cherry Pie Celebration commemorates Loveland’s
early cherry industry. At one time, the Loveland area was known as the
region best adapted to raising cherries in Colorado. There were 10,000
acres of the crop; trees covered land now occupied by Orchards Shopping
Center and Cherry Hills Estates. The largest single cherry orchard west
of the Mississippi was located here. In addition, Loveland boasted three
commercial canning companies operating cherry processing factories
during the height of the industry: Kuner-Empson, Loveland Canning, and
Cherry Products Corporation.
Besides the picking of the crop, which amounted to
thousands of dollars, another industry developed – the manufacture and
sale of cherry cider. Mrs. A.V. Benson and Neville’s fruit ciders were
known throughout the United States. Thirsty tourists in Model T’s helped
launch what was once one of Northern Colorado’s most flourishing
roadside industries.
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