A crowd of 8,000 enjoys whoopie pies at this year’s festival

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom NOT SAVORING THE FLAVOR — Fifteen entrants in the 12 and under whoopie pie eating contest were able to forget their table manners as they competed to see who could eat a whoopie pie and a half the fastest as part of the 2015 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival in Dover-Foxcroft on June 27. In addition to bragging rights, the top two young whoopie pie eaters each received coupons to redeem for items at the festival merchandize tent. Since starting in 2009, the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival has grown each year with a record 8,000 attending the 2015 event to sample selections from nearly every type of the tasty treat under the sun.

Staff Report  

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Center Theatre announced that 8,000 people attended the 2015 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival on Saturday, June 27. The festival brings bakers from around the state together with artists, crafters and vendors to celebrate the whoopie pie — Maine’s Official State Treat.

Patrick Myers, coordinator of the festival, was thrilled with the day. “The weather and the crowds were both wonderful,” he said. “Everyone had a great time and we couldn’t be happier to show off our community to so many people.”

Bakers are judged on several categories by the official festival judges. The winners this year were Best Flavored Whoopie Pie, first place Governor’s Restaurant Bangor for “Root Beer Float Whoopie Pie”, second place Sweetie Pies for “Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie” and third place Governor’s Restaurant Old Town for “Carrot Cake Whoopie Pie”.

In the best traditional category the winners were first place Governor’s Restaurant in Old Town, second place Levant Corner Store and third place Sweetie Pies.

Best new baker at the festival was first place Sweetie Pies for “Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie”, second place Fast Eddie’s for “Whoopie Pie Ice Cream” and third place The Mixing Bowl for “Coconut Whoopie Pie”.

The most creative Whoopie Pie Name was “Nuttin Better” by the Levant Corner Store. The Yankee Whoopie Prize, given to the best tasting whoopie pie that focused on Yankee ingredients (molasses, blueberries, apples, maple and/or Moxie went to Sweetie Pies for the blueberry pancake whoopie pie.

The festival also has three whoopie pie eating contests. The winners of the contests were Josh (no last name or town given) in the 12 and under category, Ty Winterbatch from Guilford in the teen category and Roy Smith from Burlington, Vt. in the adult category.

Myers also wanted to thank the volunteers for the festival and their large group of committed sponsors. Lead sponsors of the Whoopie Pie Festival include Bangor Savings Bank, Dave’s World and U.S. Cellular, The Eastern Gazette and Z107.3.  

Myers said there are many other local businesses involved. “Several other businesses have stepped up in a big way to support the festival. Will’s  Shop ‘n Save is the official grocer of the festival and and supplied whoopie pies and milk for the whoopie pie eating contest, the Freedom House Bed and Breakfast offered a weekend stay in one of their wonderful one-bedroom suites in a contest available to anyone entering the festival. And of course, Varney Insurance Agency hosted the Varney Agency Kid’s Zone.”

There is also a long list of local businesses who sponsor the Whoopie Pie Festival including Berg Activewear, Cavanagh Law Office, Howard Insurance, Mallett Real Estate, Rideout Seasonal Services, Rowell’s Garage, Steinke & Caruso Dental Care, True Textiles and Dover True Value.

Next year’s festival is scheduled for June 25, 2016. Proceeds from the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival benefit the Center Theatre and its mission to make the arts a part of life in the Maine Highlands. For more information on the Center Theatre, visit www.centertheatre.org and for information on the festival, visit www.MaineWhoopiePieFestival.com.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

AT THE GATES — The line to get into one of the entrances of the 2015 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival stretches down River Street in downtown Dover-Foxcroft prior to the 10 a.m. opening on Saturday, June 27.  A record-breaking crowd of 8,000 pass through the several gates at the seventh edition of the festival.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

SO LOUD THEY CAN’T HEAR THEMSELVES CHEW — Children’s whoopie pie eating contest official Derek Carroll encourages the crowd during the competition as part of this year’s Maine Whoopie Pie Festival. Those wanting to put their stomachs to the test could compete in either 12 and under, teen or adult categories.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

HELLO YELLOW BRICK ROAD — Gerald Brann, a 1986 graduate of Foxcroft Academy, performs with Yellow Brick Road … A Tribute to Elton John during the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival on June 27.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

HEAD OVER HEELS FOR WHOOPIE PIES — The Varney Agency Kid’s Zone enabled youngsters to burn off some of their whoopie pie calories with various games and activities.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

ESCAPE ARTIST  — Magician Conjuring Carroll Chapman once again performed at the annual Maine Whoopie Pie Festival. He concluded his morning show by getting up after being tied to a chair.