Masker's Orchard apple pie contest holds Grand Finale November 7

Masker’s Orchard in Warwick, New York, is currently hosting a high-stakes apple pie-eating competition that has evolved from a local attraction into a regional draw, culminating in a Grand Finale on November 7. The competition, which recently drew New York State Senator James Skoufis and competitors from as far as Long Island and Queens, offers the ultimate winner a seven-night stay at a three-bedroom villa at Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa in Orlando, Florida.

Lawmakers Trade Policy for Pie

The political atmosphere in Warwick recently shifted from legislative debate to dessert consumption. State Senator James Skoufis, who represents the area in Albany, joined the festivities last weekend as a celebrity judge and host. He wasn’t alone; his five-year-old daughter, Ava, and her friend Esmé entered the children’s competition, turning a political visit into a family affair.

This appearance followed a previous visit by Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, meaning members of both chambers of the New York State Legislature have now supervised the rapid disappearance of apple pies at Masker’s. In a rare moment of bipartisan harmony, the only urgent business on the table was the speed of the contestants.

The contrast between the orchard’s lightheartedness and the reality of the agricultural sector is stark. The region’s fruit growers faced a devastating year, with weather patterns destroying significant portions of the expected harvest before it could even begin. For a working farm, this isn’t just about fewer apples in the bins; it’s a direct hit to revenue, staffing, and the capital needed to plant for next year.

“Farmers are the backbone of our community and need our help this year,” Assemblyman Karl Brabenec told Mid-Hudson News.

Orange County fruit farms were initially excluded from the state’s disaster recovery program.

Long Island Dominates the Leaderboard

The competition is no longer just a local pastime for Warwick residents. The most recent weekend saw a surge of talent from downstate, signaling that the lure of the Florida vacation is drawing a wider demographic of dessert eaters.

Masker's Orchard apple pie contest holds Grand Finale November 7

Rockie of Merrick, New York, took the adult win on Saturday, while Mersedes Davidson of Queens secured her spot in the finals on Sunday. The Junior Division saw perhaps the most intense energy of the event, with Rogue of Long Island claiming the title. Supported by a coach and teammates, Rogue’s victory earned her a full-size Masker’s apple pie and a ticket to the championship round.

For these winners, the rewards have scaled up significantly. While weekly champions receive a $100 gift card, a “Champion” T-shirt, cider doughnuts, and a subscription to the Warwick Valley Dispatch, those are merely the appetizers. The November 7 Grand Finale is where the real stakes lie: a lakefront resort stay in Orlando with easy access to Walt Disney World.

A Century of Community Resilience

While pie-eating contests caused chaos, the orchard celebrated a different milestone. Evelyn Card, the 99-year-old known as the “First Lady of Pies,” was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Warwick Valley Rotary. Card, who still serves as the post-production manager of the Warwick Valley Dispatch, represents the enduring spirit of the community that Masker’s has been a part of for over 100 years.

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Farmer Dan Olsen noted that the orchard’s century-long history has taught them how to adapt. When the harvest fails, the business pivots. The pie-eating contest is a prime example of innovation, turning a bakery staple into a destination event that brings foot traffic back to the mountain when the trees are bare.

By creating an event that attracts people from Queens and Long Island, Masker’s is effectively diversifying its revenue stream, ensuring that the farm survives to see another spring.

The Final Qualifying Window

The clock is now ticking for anyone hoping to trade a slice of pie for a plane ticket. This coming weekend represents the absolute final opportunity to qualify for the championship. Once this final session concludes, the field is locked.

The logistics for the Grand Finale are set for Saturday, November 7, with Sunday, November 8, serving as the rain date. Given the erratic weather that plagued the growers this year, the orchard is not taking any chances with the schedule.

The winners from the weekly rounds will return to Warwick Mountain to face one another in a winner-take-all showdown. For the competitors, the challenge is no longer just about beating the clock—it’s about beating a field of people who have already proven they can handle the pressure (and the crust).

As the harvest season draws to a close, the question remains: who among the qualifying champions has the stomach to turn a Warwick dessert into a Florida vacation?