We have a little gem of a bakery out here in the country. Backerman’s Bakery and Cheese Shoppe is a small Mennonite Bakery owned and run by a local Mennonite family. The bakery is a fairly popular stop on Highway 64 and is one of the ways I get my friends to come visit me…I promise to take them to the bakery for a fried pie.
A brief amount of research on Mennonites in Oklahoma revealed that this group played a role in the Land Run of 1889. They were key to helping Oklahoma become a major wheat-producing state. Currently there are three Mennonite churches in the tiny town of Corn (formerly Korn) which only has about 591 residents. Corn is located on the western prairie range, about twenty miles or so south of Weatherford.
Our local Mennonite community raises funds the first weekend in October in order to support their Mennonite school. The Mennonite Oktoberfest celebrates German heritage treats (without the beer) and the goodness of community. Of course, anytime I see an “O” and a “K” together, I think of Oklahoma; nothing screams “goodness of community” like my home state.
See more pictures from the most recent Oktoberfest, 2010.
Thanks to all! Fried pies are just the tip of the hay bale.
JA, We loved your article and slideshow. You did a great job capturing the the food, fun and fellowship of the festival. We are looking forward to going again next year. Thanks for introducing us to this fall treat.
Julie, you failed to mention there were fried pies! I would have definitely been there. I enjoyed your slide show. I hope we can make it next year.