Pie and Beer Day: More Than Just Bread and Brew

Pie with a design of two foamy beer mugs on it top

For over 20 years, Pie and Beer Day has served as an alternative to Pioneer Day, and it has only grown since its humble beginnings. Photo: Victoria Hills

Image: Victoria Hills

Community

Coinciding with Utah’s Pioneer Day, Utahns had the opportunity to be a part of the biggest assembly of pie and beer in the country. Hosted by the Ballpark Action Team, the Pie and Beer Day festival hosts dozens of bakeries and breweries to celebrate the community.

For over 20 years, Pie and Beer Day has served as an alternative to Pioneer Day, and it has only grown since its humble beginnings. Brad Wheeler is a pioneer in his own way and has built up Pie and Beer Day to the phenomenon that it is now. Wheeler says it has always been the goal to make the holiday mainstream and to involve more and more people each year. “My legacy is to bring it out of the shadow and into the light; I want a serious pie and beer day party,” Wheeler says.

With over 100 volunteers and 20 breweries in attendance, Wheeler needed a space big enough to not only host the vendors but also a celebrity kickball game, live music and a kids zone. “After surviving COVID, we realized it might be good to have a little space,” Wheeler says. “Last year, we became aware of the Action Team,” he adds.

The Ballpark Action Team is a community non-profit focused on activating the former Salt Lake Bees ballpark to support the surrounding communities and not let the stadium go to waste. Chair of the board Fraser Nelson helps run The Action Team, as well as assists Wheeler in coordinating the event. “We are totally dedicated to improving the neighborhood and the redevelopment of the stadium. We want to make sure the people who live here are not forgotten,” Nelson says.

In addition to Pie and Beer Day, the Ballpark Action Team hosts a yearly yard sale, as well as an upcoming “Field of Screams” event in October. During this Halloween event, families are invited to the stadium for free books, candy and fun.

The Ballpark Action Team has big aspirations, and improving the neighborhoods surrounding the stadium is a top priority for Nelson and her team. “Ballpark Next is a project aimed at improving the stadium area to better help the community. This involves tearing down two-thirds of the stadium, adding housing and green space. This neighborhood has the least amount of green space in the city,” Nelson said.

To Wheeler and the Ballpark Action Team, Pie and Beer Day isn’t meant to replace Pioneer Day; it stands as another occasion to celebrate, as well as give back to the community. “The goal was to create an alternative to Pioneer Day. About 15 years ago, there wasn’t anything like it, people didn’t really go out. When I threw the first Pie and Beer Day party, I thought only a few people would show up, not thousands. I didn’t realize there were people like myself that needed an alternative,” Wheeler says.

One of the vendors participating in this year’s Pie and Beer Day was Scion Cider, which featured their Koala Shorts Cider. Owner Elisabeth Osmeloski says that the event was a success, and the notion of Pie and Beer Day is important as an alternative way to celebrate.

“I’ve lived here for 20 years; it’s been a good alternative to other activities, like rodeos and Pioneer Day. It’s nice for transplants like myself,” Osmeloski says. Scion Cider is sure to be back next year, but until then, they look forward to hosting their own event, including an Apple Press Day celebration in the Fall.

As the Pie and Beer Day tradition grows, so does its impact. The Ballpark Action Team’s mission to preserve the neighborhood is an ongoing work, and for Wheeler, assisting communities in Salt Lake can look as simple as brew and baked goods: “The intention is sincere; I get so excited about pie!”

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