‘Eat Dessert First’ event Saturday invites bakers and pie lovers

Oak Street will be closed to traffic between First and Second streets — and filled with pies.

There’s a $1,000 prize for the best apple pie, and another $1,000 prize for the best pear pie. Dig out your grandma’s favorite recipe, go to Shortt Supply to sign up to enter — it’s $10 a pie, and all proceeds will go to Helping Hands Against Violence. The organization provides shelter, advocacy and education for women and children who have been abused.

Friday noon is the deadline to get your pie into the contest

Pies must be made with fruit grown in the Gorge

After judging, slices of pies will be sold, even a la mode, to benefit Helping Hands.

“There’s no better way to raise money than by eating pie,” said Stephanie Irving of Helping Hands.

The Eat Dessert First tradition ran from 2002-2008 on the Heights, when Shortt Supply was located at 12th and Belmont. Brian and Karen Shortt decided to revive the event this year.

“We are so thrilled that Brian and Karen decided to bring back the pie contest now that they’ve settled into their downtown location,” Irving said. “Shortt Supply has been one of our biggest supporters throughout the years, not only with fundraising through pies, but it seems whatever we need, they’ve probably given it to us — be it blankets, hats for winter, or sneakers for clients and their kids.”

Brian Shortt said, “For eight years on the Heights we judged the very best pie recipes in the country. They were made from the heart. No doubts, we are making a lot of households very happy this week. Keep practicing with your recipes. We’ll all be very happy Saturday!”