FARMINGTON — There’s no such thing as a bad apple pie . . . just some are a little better than others, according to Farmington Fair pie judge Randy Hall of East Dixfield.

Hall along with fellow judges, Mike Melville and Jason Decker, both of Farmington, savored each bite of three apple and four pumpkin pies Thursday during the annual pie judging contest.

“You don’t have to eat the whole piece,” said Glenda Barker, exhibition hall superintendent, as she cut into the decorative homemade pies.

“Well . . . ya, we do,” Hall responded quickly offering to come back later for a second taste test.

With their palates highly tuned to which one had the best spices, even detecting a slight taste of lemon in one, the three quickly agreed allotting ribbons while entrants stood around watching how their pies were faring.

Sarah Savage and husband, Derrek, of Peru kept a hopeful eye on the proceedings. It was the first time she’d put an entry into the contest.

“I thought it would be fun. I’ve never done it before,” she said prior to judging.

Although she says she doesn’t bake too much, the judges quickly chose hers the apple pie winner. There’s no secret, she said, just lots of cinnamon.

Second place apple pie winner was Christa DiGellseppe of Jay, and Arlene Welch of Jay took third place.

Among the pumpkin pie winners, Arlene Welch received the blue ribbon, Lois King of Jay took second and Cindy Pooler of Industry came in third.

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Pie contest judges Jason Decker, Mike Melville and Randy Hall wait for Glenda Barker, exhibition hall superintendent, to cut the three apple and four pumpkin pies entered in the contest Thursday at Farmington Fair.

Pie judges Jason Decker, Mike Melville and Randy Hall savor each piece of seven pies Thursday during the annual pie baking contest at Farmington Fair.

First time’s a winner for Sarah Savage of Peru who entered an apple pie for the first time in the pie judging contest Thursday at Farmington Fair. Anxiously watching how her pie fared, Savage and her husband, Derrek, were all smiles as she collected her blue ribbon.