SANDPOINT — If you love apple pie, this contest is for you.

And, with live judging for the first time, the Apple Fest contest promises to be a lot of fun, contest organizer Nancy Ellis said.

"It's going to be a lot of fun to watch the judges in action," she said.

The contest, set for Saturday, Oct. 5, is open to all amateur bakers only. The apple pies need to be dropped off at 9 a.m. and live judging will begin at 11 a.m. The pies, including the pie crust, must be made from scratch with fresh apples and no store-bought pie crust. No canned apple filling is permitted.

There is no entry fee to participate but participants do need to share their recipe with judges. Recipes can be returned if bakers wish after the contest has concluded, Ellis said.

Pies can be any standard size, from 8-inch to 10-inch; however, no mini pies will be accepted.

The public will get a chance to taste the pies, with a taste of five pies costing $5. They then can vote for their favorite. There will be multiple prizes with the winner of the first-place pie receiving a basket of goodies worth $250. Prizes will also be offered for crowd favorite and most beautiful pie.

Participants need to make two pies — one for judging and the other for the accompanying fundraiser for Creations at the Cedar Street Bridge.

Bakers should include their name and phone number of the bottom of the pie pan.

The pies will be scored by a panel of three judges, with 45% of the score based on filling, 45% on the crust and 10% on appearance.

The pies should be dropped off upstairs at the Cedar Street Bridge.

The apple pie contest is part of the 2024 Apple Fest, an event that is sure to be the apple of the community's eye.

Once again, downtown retailers are going all out for Apple Fest with live music, apple chucking, face painting, games and more. While several of the events, such as the apple chucking, are centered at the Cedar Street Bridge, a number of events and activities are planned throughout downtown Sandpoint.

Among the more popular events of Apple Fest are the apple pie contest and the apple chucking, which gives participants a chance to place an apple in an oversized catapult slingshot contraption in attempt to hit one of several targets placed in the waters of Sand Creek.

In the past, the apple pie contest has garnered several dozen entries and officials expect this year to be no different.

For more information about the event, or for the latest schedule of activities, go online to downtownsandpoint.com or to the Sandpoint Shopping District's Facebook page.

For information about the pie contest, call Nancy Ellis at 208-597-4248.