TRAVERSE CITY -- Patrick Byrne recently made a summer to-do list. Patrick's goals: the cherry pit spit and the pie-eating contests at the National Cherry Festival, and a trip to Moomers Homemade Ice Cream.
But topping the 7-year-old's list was a desire to make his own cherry pie -- again.
"He's been waiting since April to do this," said Chris Byrne, Patrick's mother.
Last year, the Grand Traverse Pie Company introduced make-and-bake pies for kids at the festival Open Space. Byrne was one of approximately 500 to participate in the inaugural event.
About 800 kids are expected to make a pie this year.
"The response has been huge," said Ashley Stanchfield, a Pie Company employee. "They usually get here about an hour early and start lining up."
Pie Company officials boosted the number of days and times they'll offer the event this year.
Ingredients for 6-inch cherry crumb pies are pre-measured and placed into Ziploc bags for kids to pour into pre-made pie shells.
The company this year opened a factory to prepare pie dough, and kits for the Cherry Festival event and fundraisers are produced there.
The kit was a hit with Asher Leukhardt, 6, of Waterford, who made a souvenir cherry pie to take home and share with family who couldn't attend the festival.
"We're going home today," Leukhardt said. "But we're going to take it down for my grandpa's wife."
Katelyn Schroeder, 6, of Dewitt, is a Cherry Festival veteran, but 2009 marked her first attempt at pie construction.
"I don't like cherries," said Schroeder, who nonetheless donned a cherry balloon hat. She planned to share her final product with others.
Each make-and-bake session takes approximately 30 minutes. Kids are given an apron and a chef's hat. Pies are numbered and baked on site, and can be claimed 90 minutes after kids have completed them.
"The kids get really excited about making their own pie," Stanhfield said. "And the parents enjoy that, too."
Along with the make-and-bake, the Pie Company also has pies, preserves and smoothies available at the festival.
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