Courtesy / Historic Inns of Rockland
The Center for Maine Contemporary Art’s graphic for the 2019 Pies on Parade, organized by Historic Inns of Rockland.
Updated: February 7, 2020
Midcoast businesses raise $31K at Pies on Parade
By Staff
More than 100 lodging properties, restaurants and businesses from Rockland and Camden came together Jan. 24-26 for the 16th annual Pies on Parade Pie Weekend, a food-fest that drew 650 consumers of 15,000 slices of pie in 50 varieties.
The event generated $30,987 for the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program through ticket sales, silent auction, raffle sales, cash donations and Camden Scavenger Hunt proceeds.
The donation brings the total raised since the event’s first year to more than $250,000.
“The founding members of the event are passing on the rolling pins to the next group of innkeepers, volunteers and organizers to continue to evolve and grow this critical fundraiser to benefit AIO,” Cheryl Michaelsen, former owner of the historic Berry Manor Inn and one of the founders of Pies on Parade, said in a news release.
“The number of people in need throughout all of the communities within Knox County that have been able to receive meals, fuel/heat assistance and personal care items because of the efforts of the Rockland and Camden businesses is staggering.”
The businesses donated over 1,000 hours of time and thousands of dollars in products and services to the event. In addition to pies, many businesses donated gift certificates, gifts, art, overnight stays and other items to the silent auction and Camden scavenger/trivia hunt from businesses throughout the Midcoast, raising well over $3,800 toward the total donation.
Maritime Energy matched the $2,500 raised from cash donations dropped into the oil can-collection jars and the special events during the pie tour. Companies like Blueberry Broadcasting, Rock Harbor Tap Room, All Aboard Trolley and 44 Business Capital, a division of Berkshire Bank, offered cash support and services. More than 50 AIO Food Pantry volunteers were on hand to help, too.
“The Pie Tour expanded into a weekend-long series of events with the continued growth in the Camden Pie Scavenger Hunt, and it just keeps getting larger and larger,” Lisa Weiss, co-owner of the Hawthorn Inn in Camden, said in the release.
The event is organized by a marketing consortium called Historic Inns of Rockland, which leverages visitation by offering lodging packages that include guaranteed tickets.
Courtesy / PJ Walter/PJ Walter Photography
Organizers included, from left, Ted Weiss (Hawthorn Inn), Lori Schafer (Bartlett Woods), Klarita Bicaj (Bartlett Woods), Pat O'Brien (Fiore Olive Oils & Vinegars), Sharon Gleason (Bartlett Woods), Michael O'Neill (Area Interfaith Outreach), Aaron Prescott (Bartlett Woods), Edwin Hantz (Granite Inn), Cheryl Michaelsen (Pies on Parade), Mitch Kihn (Area Interfaith Outreach), Chris Seavey (Maritime Energy), Eola Ball (Area Interfaith Outreach), Marty Shaw (Area Interfaith Outreach), PJ Walter (Loyal Biscuit Co.), Lisa Weiss (Hawthorn Inn), Frank Isganitis (44 Business Capital, A Division of Berkshire Bank). Expansion of the AIO Food Pantry in Rockland, in the background, is underway.
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