It is hard to put into words, in a brief report, the chaos of a marching brass band, fierce pie-related competition, hundreds of kids on a pie-induced sugar high, and all the pie and beer adults can manage — but we wanted to share our thanks and some highlights from this year's celebration. Ballpark Action Team (BAT) is a grassroots, all-volunteer organization, and we could not take on an event of this magnitude without the support of our volunteers, sponsors, community and partners. Thank you.

 

We brought our beloved stadium back to life

• An estimated 3,750 people and 350 children streamed into the Ballpark from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on one of the hottest days of the summer.

• With your support, families had a fun, affordable holiday. Admission and all events for kids under 12 were free, including face painting, a balloon artist, an ecology event, and yard games. Every kid got a free slice of pizza and free ginger ale, and a pop-up sensory room made sure kids with special needs had a place to recharge.

 

It takes a neighborhood

• 120 Ballpark Action Team volunteers provided 360 hours of service on the day of the event.

• $25,000 was raised for BAT, including a $20,000 donation from Brad Wheeler and Official Pie and Beer Day! 

 

Sponsors make it possible

• $25,000 was donated by local businesses and individuals, making this a truly community event. Thank you to Squatters Pubs, our Title Sponsor; The GIV Group; Maple Grove Hot Springs; Erika Carlsen, Mary McCarthy, HAME, Intermountain Health, and Publik Coffee.

• Salt Lake City provided America250, ACE, and a special "Pitch Grant" award that allows community groups to host events at the stadium. Look for more events this summer and fall!

• $19,943 in in-kind support was received from Strike Visuals, YESCO, Broadway Media, Sysco, Diamond Rental, LUX Catering, the Urban Indian Center, and Hello Flashy.

• 17 local bakeries donated 4,080 slices of pie for our "Very Important Pie Pass" Pie and Beer Pairings event.

• Thanks also to Cornerstone, Salt Lake City's contracted production company.

 

Pie! Beer!

• 20 bakeries and breweries created unique Pie and Beer Pairings.

• Each guest was offered a free slice of apple pie at our 250-foot "longest table," bringing strangers together to celebrate America250.

• 15 amateur bakers impressed judges Councilmember Erika Carlsen, Mayor Erin Mendenhall, State Rep. Grant Miller, Salt Lake Tribune food writer Kolbie Peterson, and City Cast's Ali Vallarta. A peach pie took home first place.

• The kids and adult pie-eating contests were epic. Kids were awarded medals for most pie eaten and also a prize for the messiest eater. The adult pie-eating winner was awarded a prize for the most pie eaten in 3 minutes.

• A kickball rematch from 2025 pitted SLCFD's Ash Kickers against Nick Rimando's Mis-Kicks. SLCFD won 9-2!

 

Supporting local business

• We supported only local bakeries, breweries, and exclusively Utah businesses throughout, knowing they continue to struggle in this economy. For the first time, we offered a Bakers' Market, allowing bakeries to sell pie directly to guests alongside our local brewers. Bakers kept 100% of their sales.

• Local bakeries, breweries, and food trucks made over $40,000.

 

Official Pie and Beer Day is fast becoming a Ballpark and Salt Lake City tradition.
Thank you for helping make this a truly unique event, open to all Salt Lakers. See you next year!