MINOT, N.D. – The North Dakota State Fair added a delicious new tradition to its lineup this year with the inaugural Pie Eating Contest, held Saturday, July 18th, under the SRT Park Festival Tent. The contest debuted as one of the Fair’s new Celebrate the BIG 250 – The Fair Way! competitions, created to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.
Contestants ranging in age from 18 to 31 put their appetites to the test as they raced against the clock to eat as much of a large apple pie as possible in just five minutes—without using their hands. The unique challenge had spectators cheering from start to finish as competitors gave it their all.
The event was emceed and judged by Tom Schrader and Amber Wheeler of K-HITS. After carefully evaluating the remaining pies, they determined that Kyler Miller, 18, consumed the greatest amount of pie within the five-minute time limit, earning the title of the North Dakota State Fair’s first-ever Pie Eating Contest Champion.
For his winning performance, Miller received:
- A $100 Marketplace Foods gift card
- A North Dakota State Fair merchandise voucher
- A championship certificate
- A champion’s trophy
The North Dakota State Fair extends its sincere appreciation to Marketplace Foods for sponsoring the inaugural Pie Eating Contest and providing the apple pies that made the competition possible.
The Pie Eating Contest is one of five new America 250 competitions introduced at the 2026 North Dakota State Fair. The lineup also includes the Hot Dog Eating Contest, Best Legs on the Fairgrounds Contest, Mullet Contest, and the North Dakota State Fair Arm Wrestling Championship. Together, these events encourage the community to embrace their competitive spirit while celebrating America’s 250th birthday in true Fair fashion.
“Our first-ever Pie Eating Contest exceeded our expectations,” said Kaitlyn Godejohn, Marketing Assistant of the North Dakota State Fair. “It was entertaining for the contestants and the crowd, and it showcased exactly what these contests are all about–bringing people together to have fun and make memories.”
The North Dakota State Fair thanks all of the contestants, spectators, volunteers, Marketplace Foods, Tom Schrader, and Amber Wheeler for helping make this inaugural event a tremendous success.
The North Dakota State Fair congratulates all of this year’s participants for their courage, determination, and great attitudes. We look forward to seeing how the competition grows next year!
About North Dakota State Fair
The North Dakota State Fair, held annually in Minot, North Dakota, has been a cherished tradition for
decades and remains the state’s premier summer event. With a diverse range of activities, exhibits,
competitions, and entertainment, the Fair draws over 350,000 visitors each year, making it North
Dakota’s largest annual gathering. For more information, visit ndstatefair.com.
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Contact Information
Charlene Ratliff North Dakota State Fair (701) 857-7620 char@ndstatefair.com
