Masker's Orchard Apple Pie Eating Contest: Champions Emerge as Grand Finale Approaches

Competitors from Long Island and Queens have claimed recent victories at Masker’s Orchard in Warwick, securing their spots in a high-stakes apple pie-eating championship scheduled for November 7. The competition, which has evolved from a local orchard attraction into a regional draw, now offers a seven-night stay at a Florida resort as the ultimate prize, according to reporting by the Warwick Valley Dispatch.

Lawmakers trade legislation for pie-eating

The competition recently attracted a surprising level of political attention, with State Senator James Skoufis serving as a celebrity judge and host. Skoufis, who represents Warwick in Albany, brought his five-year-old daughter, Ava, and her friend Esmé to participate in the children’s division. This visit by State Senator James Skoufis featured an Albany lawmaker supervising the consumption of dessert at Masker’s Orchard’s apple pie-eating competition.

The contrast was stark. While legislative work takes place in Albany, the pie-eating proceedings at Masker’s involved contestants racing to finish their pies in record time.

A harvest season defined by disaster

To counter this, Masker’s has pivoted toward attractions like the pie-eating contest to keep families visiting the mountain despite the lower apple yields.

Grand finale d rendered marquee lights gold red festive concept event promotion celebration

“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 increasingly attracting participants from far beyond the Warwick Valley, turning a local tradition into a broader regional clash. Recent winners include Rockie of Merrick and Mersedes Davidson of Queens, both of whom have qualified for the November 7 finale.

The Junior Division has emerged as a particular highlight, with Rogue of Long Island taking a recent title. Supported by a coach and teammates, Rogue’s victory earned her a full-size Masker’s apple pie. This shift in demographics suggests that the orchard’s brand—and its pies, voted last year “Best in Hudson Valley”—is pulling in a crowd that views the trip to Warwick as a competitive pilgrimage.

The 99-year-old anchor of Warwick

Card’s presence at the competitions serves as a living link to the orchard’s history of more than 100 years. As Senator Skoufis noted during his visit, the combination of family-centric experiences and agricultural heritage is what makes institutions like Masker’s essential to the county’s economy.

The road to Orlando

The stakes for the remaining competitors have shifted from local bragging rights to a luxury getaway. While weekly winners receive a package including a $100 gift card, cider doughnuts, and a subscription to the Warwick Valley Dispatch, the Grand Finale prize is significantly more substantial.

The winner on November 7 will receive seven nights in a three-bedroom villa at the Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa in Orlando, Florida, with proximity to Walt Disney World. This transition from a trophy to a vacation marks a new era for the contest, transforming it into a high-incentive event.

There is only one qualifying session remaining before the finale. For those who haven’t yet entered, the window is closing. The championship is set for Saturday, November 7, with November 8 reserved as a rain date—a necessary precaution given the volatile weather that has already plagued the growers this year.

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