CENTERBURG — Centerburg residents tuned their ears to the whip-fast calls of auctioneer Steve Jagger at the annual Old Time Farming Festival pie auction on Saturday.
A total of $22,300 was raised during the auction to fund next year’s festivities, over a $2,000 increase compared to last year.
Ann Cochran’s cherry pie received the night’s highest bid at $2,000. D&D Agri-Hauling proudly purchased the sought-after pie. The dessert was nestled in a red antique wagon, refurbished with miniature antiques, dolls and bales of straw.
However, it wasn’t the only homemade, patriotic dessert the agricultural company purchased.
D&D Agri-Hauling also paid $1,650 for Judy Litzenberg’s peach pie accompanied by a handmade basket by Donn Strosnider and a gnome gourd painted by Litzenberg.
The auction marked the final year Litzenberg will serve as coordinator of the annual event, a role she has had for more than 20 years.
Another expensive entry was an apple pie made by Macy Hardwick. The dessert was accompanied by an apple tree, candles and wagon and sold to David McDowell of Walton Realty and Auction for $1,600.
A sweet beginning
The event began with three winners of the festival cookie contest auctioning off their creations.
Jeremy Netting of Pillar Fire Protection paid $225 for Carson Cochran’s cookies.
Mark Banta bought Lily Hansen’s brown butter Heath bar cookies for $225.
James Bartholomew of J&T Vinyl Graphics bought Joseph Schreiber’s strawberry thumbprint cookies for $150.
Sweet pies and big bids
Following the cookies, the auction turned to what Centerburg residents have come to know and love.
The Ohio AMVETS Post 59’s pecan pie sold for $150 alongside a $25 gift card, an assortment of cookies, an American hat, coffee, mugs and a wooden table to James Bartholomew of J&T Vinyl Graphics.
Judy Shuff of Pizza Burg bought Amy Hinton’s homemade apple pie presented in a pumpkin shaped wicker basket paired with a wooden serving tray, kitchen towels and a vintage apple sign for $375.
Carolyn Elfrink’s peach crumb pie sold to Daniel Wolford of Swisher Financial for $375.
The Heart of Ohio Business Association’s pie basket, accompanied by a pecan pie made by Willow Ranch, sold for $550 to Jeremy Netting of Pillar Fire Protection.
A homemade Dutch apple pie made by Executive Director of Centerburg Senior Services, Lisa Wilson, and a wreath made by Betsy Dilger sold for $650 to David Hilton of Hilton Classic Tractor.
Nancy Montgomery’s cherry pie sold for $850 to Jeffery Montgomery of Montgomery Farms.
Caressa and Kevah Knight’s lattice crust cherry pie and chocolate bourbon pecan pie were sold for $750 to Angie Griffith of The Rusty Redhead.
Hope and Lynn Brady’s pecan pie sold for $800 to Mark Banta.
Laurie Hauck’s shaker lemon pie, accompanied by a meat sampler from Litzenberg Farms, sold to Daniel Hardwick for $1,000.
Nina Campbell of Red One Realty bought Holly Chadwick’s apple pie, placed in an Americana-themed wagon, for $450.
Carlie Cochran’s cherry pie was bought for $950 by James Bartholomew of J&T Vinyl Graphics.
Mark Banta paid $600 for Mikayla Hennel’s bourbon caramel pecan pie, accompanied by a handmade wreath by Betsy Dilger.
Cindy McDowell’s smores pie, accompanied by a smokeless solo fire pit and a smores kit, sold to Daniel Wolford from Swisher Financial for $1,000.
Joseph Myers of Cosby Heating and Cooling paid $600 of Annette Treffert and Ann Dickerson’s barbecue package, featuring a cherry pie, black raspberry pie, ice cream gift cards and barbecue tools.
Chase Cochran paid $575 for Emma Winnings’ gluten-free cinnamon roll bourbon apple pie, accompanied by a charcuterie board and Kentucky whiskey.
Daniel Hardwick paid $500 for Sam White’s creamy blueberry pie.
Daniel Wolford of Swisher Financial paid $400 for Kim Lopiccolo’s cherry pie.
Stacy Smith of The Good Chance Farm paid $1,000 for Wilhelmenia Smith’s old-fashioned apple pie, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, cinnamon rolls and elderberry jelly.
Richard Litzenberg of Litzenberg Farms paid $700 for Anita Bruney and Tom Meyers’ pecan pie, patriotic quilt and Igloo cooler.
Clearwater Pools paid $600 for Anna Marie Smith’s gluten-free brown butter pumpkin pie with a swirl cake base, a wreath handmade by Betsy Dilger and a charcuterie board made by Zach Winnings.
Angie Griffith of The Rusty Redhead paid $1,000 for Cathy Compton’s pumpkin pecan crunch slab pie, accompanied by a quilt and other goods.
Daniel Wolford of Swisher Financial paid $1,200 for Amy Kent’s toasted maple bourbon pecan pie, accompanied by Maker’s Mark whiskey and other goods.
David and Amie Zitello of A Primitive Past Homestead paid $550 for a whiskey barrel coffee table from Amy Kent.
Other items sold
The auction ended with festival-specific merchandise being put up for auction.
A 2007 Centerburg Old Time Festival collector’s basket sold for $25, and a 2009 collector’s basket sold for $50.
Judy Shuff of Shuff Farms bought three Centerburg Old Time Festival cutting boards for $250 each, a total of $750.
(Here are Alexandra Hopkins’ photos of the 2026 pie auction.)
