Peach Pie Contest Returns for 13th Year at Jersey City’s Riverview Park

On a warm Sunday morning in early August, the air around Riverview Fisk Park will carry the scent of peaches, butter, and sugar before you even reach the tent. That’s the kind of thing you remember — the smell of a community coming together over pie.

The Riverview Farmer’s Market will host its 13th annual Peach Pie Contest on Sunday, August 2. It’s a day built around local bakers, fresh fruit, and the kind of neighborly competition that fills the park with laughter and sticky fingers.

“The Peach Pie Contest has become a cherished community tradition, and we’re proud to bring it back for its 13th year,” said Rachel Meyers, President of Farms in the Heights, the nonprofit that runs the market. “It’s a celebration of local food, local bakers, and the people who make this neighborhood so special.”

Here’s how it works: amateur bakers bring their best peach pies — made with real peaches, not canned — to the market by 10 a.m. A panel of judges tastes them all, scoring on crust, filling, flavor, and appearance. Winners take home bragging rights and prizes. But honestly, the real winner is anyone who gets a slice.

How We Got Here

The Riverview Farmer’s Market started more than a decade ago as a small effort to bring fresh produce to the Heights. Over the years, it’s grown into a Saturday morning staple — a place where people grab coffee, buy vegetables, and run into neighbors they haven’t seen in weeks.

The Peach Pie Contest began the same year. It was a simple idea: get people to bake, have some fun, and highlight the peaches that come from local farms each summer. It stuck. Year after year, the contest has drawn more bakers and bigger crowds. For many families, it’s the unofficial start of August.

What It Means for Hudson County

For Jersey City residents, this contest is more than a bake-off. It’s a chance to slow down. In a city where life moves fast — between commutes, school runs, and work — the market offers a pause. You can smell the peaches. You can watch your neighbor’s kid try to win a pie-eating contest. You can sit on a bench and just be.

It also supports the local food system. Farms in the Heights brings in produce from New Jersey farms, connecting city dwellers to the people who grow their food. That’s a big deal when you think about how disconnected most of us are from where our meals come from. A peach pie contest might seem small, but it’s a reminder that food is about community, not just groceries.

What People Are Saying

Rachel Meyers told the Jersey City Times that the contest “brings together everyone from seasoned bakers to adventurous first-timers.” That’s the spirit — no one’s looking for perfection (though the pies are usually pretty good). They’re looking for people who care enough to bake.

Regular market-goers say the contest is a highlight of summer. One visitor described it as “the sweetest day in the Heights.” The market also features live music, kids’ activities, and vendors selling everything from honey to crafts. It’s a family affair.

What Comes Next

If you want to enter the pie contest, registration opens soon. Check the Riverview Farmer’s Market website or stop by the market on Saturday mornings for details. Bakers need to bring their pies to the market by 10 a.m. on August 2. Judging starts at 11 a.m., and slices go on sale to the public afterward — usually for a small donation that supports the market.

If you just want to taste, show up hungry. Bring cash. And maybe a napkin.

The Riverview Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October at Riverview Fisk Park on Griffith Street. The Peach Pie Contest is a special Sunday event, so mark your calendar. It’s one of those days you’ll be glad you didn’t miss.