Easy as pie? A slice of the upper-crust competes in pumpkin bake-off

Some of the pumpkins were big -- very big, at nearly 1,600 pounds.

And others were baked -- and very tasty, as they filled fresh pies.

In conjunction with Sunday's annual "weigh-in" staged at Penfield Beach by the Connecticut Giant Squash & Pumpkin Growers Association, the first pumpkin-pie baking contest was sponsored at the beach by the Fairfield Beach Road Association.

First prize was awarded to Donna Alatakis, of Fairfield; second prize went to Chuck and Mara Abercrombie; and third place was presented to Sis Palmer, of Fairfield.

The pie-baking contest was judged by First Selectman Michael Tetreau; Andy Rolleri, owner and pastry chef of The Pantry on the Post Road; and local resident Christine Herman.

Criteria used to judge the pies were taste, crust, overall appearance and originality.