The 2026 Arkansas Pie Festival once again brought visitors from across the region to Cherokee Village for a weekend filled with homemade desserts, community tradition, and classic Ozarks hospitality. Held each spring in the scenic Fulton County resort community, the festival has become one of north Arkansas’ most recognizable food-centered events and continues to grow as a tourism attraction for travelers looking to experience authentic small-town Arkansas culture.
The Arkansas Pie Festival began in Cherokee Village in 2012 as a community celebration designed to showcase homemade baking, local talent, and family-friendly entertainment. Over the years, it has expanded into a statewide event that attracts professional bakers, home chefs, youth competitors, vendors, and visitors who gather to enjoy pie competitions, live entertainment, food, shopping, and community activities. The festival has helped place Cherokee Village on the map as a unique destination for culinary tourism while also highlighting the charm and natural beauty of the Ozarks.
Known as one of Arkansas’ first planned resort communities, Cherokee Village offers far more than festival fun. Nestled among rolling hills and wooded landscapes, the village features seven lakes, two golf courses, hiking opportunities, and access to the nearby Spring River, making it a popular getaway for travelers seeking outdoor recreation and a slower pace. During festival weekends, visitors often spend time exploring the lakes, local businesses, scenic drives, and nearby attractions throughout north central Arkansas.
This year’s pie competition featured dozens of entries across multiple divisions. Lisa Sohl of Bentonville’s Piehouse Bakery earned the title of Overall Grand Champion for her Old Fashioned Tart Cherry Pie. Other top winners included Emily Niemczyk in the Home Chef Division and Augustine Weisenfels in the Youth Division. Additional honors went to Natalie in the Commercial Division, Diane Roark and Jill Hunstad in Home Chef categories, and David Atkinson and Penny Lehmann in the Youth competitions.
Festival goers also enjoyed one of the event’s most popular traditions, the “Cutie Pie Pup Parade,” where Charlie Brown Baker was named Overall Best of Show.
The Arkansas Pie Festival continues to showcase the welcoming spirit of Cherokee Village while giving visitors a reason to return year after year. From award-winning pies and family activities to lake views and Ozark scenery, the festival offers a memorable experience that blends community tradition with one of Arkansas’ most relaxing destinations.
To find out more about this amazing event, head to https://www.arkansaspiefestival.com.