Hello-hello, American pie

Four bakers were honored for their apple pies during the Great Belgrade Apple Pie Bake-Off last weekend.

The event, held March 14, also known as Pi Day, was part of a series planned by the city to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Isa Capp, of Belgrade, took first place in the youth category. Among the adults, Sandy Jenkins, of Belgrade, took first place, Colleen Chatriand, of Belgrade, took second place, and third place went to Heather Bosley, of Gallatin Gateway.

First-place winners in each category took home a $250 gift card courtesy of the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club of Belgrade, and Top Dog Landscaping and Snow Removal. They also received three-day passes to this summer’s Big Sky Country State Fair, donated by fair organizers. In a Monday statement, the City of Belgrade thanked these organizations for their generosity.

Sponsors of the city event included the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce and the Big Sky Country State Fair.

The contest judges included Belgrade Mayor Mike Meis, Erin Hoppe, Angela Matter of the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, and Assistant Superintendent Trey Olson of Belgrade School District #44.

“A big thank you to our judges for taking on the tough job of selecting the winners,” reads the city’s statement.

Belgrade Public Schools thanked the City of Belgrade and its spokeswoman, Whitney Bermes, for organizing the event to kick off Belgrade Celebrates America 250.

Olson enjoyed tasting all the incredible pies, according to a Monday statement from the school district.

“Great job to everyone who took time to bake a pie and congratulations to the winners!” reads the district’s statement.

More Belgrade Celebrates America 250 events will be rolled out in the months ahead. Information about these events will be reported as they’re announced.

"Thank you to everyone who baked, participated, and came out to support the event,” reads the city’s statement.