The 12th Annual Adams Morgan Apple Pie Baking Contest and the 17th Annual Licking Creek Bend Farm Heirloom Apple Tasting return to Adams Morgan on
Saturday, October 18, 2025
. This beloved fall tradition takes place on the front steps of
The LINE DC Hotel
and directly across from the Adams Morgan Farmers’ Market in Unity Park (Euclid & Champlain Streets NW).
The pie baking contest is limited to 16 bakers, and the spots fill up quickly. Entries will be accepted starting this
Wednesday, September 17th at Noon
at
AdMoAppleFestival.com
Each year, the festival draws hundreds of neighbors and visitors to celebrate heirloom apples, the art of baking the perfect pie, and the spirit of community in one of DC’s most iconic neighborhoods. This year’s festivities will be emceed by storyteller and host Marya Kazmi of
Brown Girl Interrupting
, who brings her signature blend of humor, warmth, and community spirit to the stage
Festival Highlights:
-
Heirloom Apple Tasting
presented by Licking Creek Bend Farm, featuring unique apple varieties rarely found in grocery stores.
-
Apple Pie Baking Contest
, where local residents compete for bragging rights as Adams Morgan’s “Best Apple Pie.” Bakers will be judged across five categories: appearance, filling, crust, overall, and People’s Choice.
-
Pie Sales for a Cause
: Contestants bake three pies: one for the judges and two for sale by the slice ($6 each). All proceeds benefit
Sitar Arts Center
, a neighborhood nonprofit providing transformative arts education and opportunities for young people.
-
Community Vibe
: Local businesses will join the celebration with fall-themed specials throughout the neighborhood.
The apple pie contest will be judged by a collection of local personalities:
-
Alex Schroeder,
@devourdc
-
Eun Yang, NBC4 Anchor
-
Tom Sherwood, Local journalist at Washington City Paper and
WAMU Politics Hour
-
Alexis Grea,
Local Pastry Chef
-
Phil Mendelson, Chairman, DC Council
-
Peter Wood, ANC1C
-
Maureen L. Dwyer,
Executive Director of Sitar Arts Center
Event Schedule:
-
8:30 AM – Adams Morgan Farmers’ Market opens
-
10:00 AM – Heirloom apple tasting begins
-
11:00 AM – Pie slices available for purchase (first-come, first-serve and they sell out fast!)
-
11:30 AM – Apple Pie Contest judging
-
12:30 PM – Winners announced
The Apple Festival is more than a celebration of the season, it’s a fundraiser and a community-builder that keeps our neighborhood vibrant and safe. Last year’s event raised critical funds for local nonprofits, and 2025 continues that tradition with all proceeds supporting the Sitar Arts Center.
For more details, visit
AdMoAppleFestival.com
.
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