The holiday season will commence in Jennings County with a fundraiser sale of the famous homemade pies usually only sold at the annual Sassafras Festival in Vernon.
The pie sale will take place at the Jennings County Historical Society Museum on Nov. 13 and Nov. 14. Pre-orders for the pies can be made from now until Nov. 7.
“We are offering this now with the idea people may want to include our pies and quick breads in their Thanksgiving or holiday dinners,” said Chris Asher, historical society museum curator.
For decades, the made-from-scratch pies have been a feature of the annual Sassafras Festival usually held in April. In the past, teams of trained volunteers have made and sold as many as 800 pies during each event.
“We have had people drive from as far as Chicago and Tennessee just to buy our pies,” Asher said. “Normally, we serve a five-state area with our pies. Now, with this pie sale, we are looking to serve only a five-county area…but I’m confident our pies will sell right out the door.”
Explaining that the Sassafras Festival and the pie sales are an important fundraiser for the daily operation of the museum, Asher said the COVID-19 pandemic changed this year’s plans.
“Because of COVID, we lost this year’s festival and several other revenue-raising activities as well,” Asher said. “Our revenue is down, but our expenses remain the same so we needed to think of something to raise funds.”
A donation of $10 for each pie, and a donation of $3 to $5 for each loaf of quick bread, will be requested during the sale.
“The pie sale will help us and we hope the pies will help families celebrate the holidays,” Asher said.
Asher said both the pies and breads are easily frozen and thawed for later use.
Choices of pies are sugar cream, bumbleberry, apple, spring fruit, and peach. Patrons can also purchase pumpkin, banana, lemon-poppyseed, or poppyseed quick bread.
To ensure a particular flavor of pie, pre-order by calling the museum at 812-346-8989 and leave a message with your name, phone number and your choice of flavor of pie. You may also call during museum operating hours on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pre-ordered pies can be picked up on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12.
Pies will also be available for purchase at the museum on Nov. 13 and Nov. 14 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The museum is located across from the courthouse at 134 Brown Street in Vernon.
