Scrivenings of the King-Beyond-The-Wall

Western World #15

The autumn wind swirled through Mapleview’s farmers market, tugging at the colorful canopies and scattering golden leaves across the aisles. In recent years, the market had seen better days. The once bustling hub of local commerce had dwindled as more shoppers turned to the convenience of online grocery shopping. This fall, however, the market’s committee was determined to stir up excitement and bring the community back to its stalls.

Margaret, the market organizer for over a decade, stood at the center of it all, clipboard in hand. She had seen the market through thick and thin, and this season’s challenge was to make it relevant again. “We need something fresh, something that screams autumn and brings in the crowds!” she declared during one of their meetings.

That’s when she had the idea for the Great Pumpkin Pie Contest. Flyers went up around town and in local newspapers, inviting all to partake in the ultimate battle of baking prowess. The prize? A hefty gift basket of goods from the market vendors and, more importantly, the title of Mapleview’s Pie Champion.

As the day of the contest dawned crisp and clear, vendors set up their stalls with renewed vigor. The scent of apples, cinnamon, and fresh hay mingled in the air. Hand-painted signs for homemade jams, artisan breads, and organic honey pointed the way to the diverse offerings. The market hadn’t buzzed with such energy in years.

At a large table draped with an orange and brown checkered cloth, contestants placed their pumpkin pies, each one a golden circle of potential victory. There were pies with lattice crusts, others with crumb toppings, and a few daring entries like the pumpkin pie brûlée.

Margaret surveyed the scene with a smile. Contestants ranged from seasoned bakers like Mrs. Thompson, whose hands were as skilled with pie dough as they were with knitting, to young enthusiasts like Tommy, a high schooler with a newfound passion for baking and a reputation to build.

As ten o’clock approached, the judges took their seats. They were a motley crew: the local bakery owner, a retired chef, and last year’s pumpkin carving contest winner, who admitted his palate wasn’t refined but he knew what he liked.

The tasting commenced amidst a flurry of excitement from onlookers. Judges whispered and scribbled notes, their expressions ranging from delight to thoughtful contemplation. Mrs. Thompson’s traditional pie was a hit for its flaky crust and perfectly spiced filling. Tommy’s chocolate pumpkin swirl, however, raised eyebrows and earned a nod of approval for creativity.

While the judges deliberated, children tugged at their parents' sleeves, leading them to explore the other attractions. One stall offered face painting, turning kids into tigers and butterflies. Another popular booth was the apple bobbing station, which ended up being more of a splash zone than a competition.

Laughter filled the air, and even the most skeptical of vendors found themselves smiling at the day’s turnout. The local beekeeper sold out of his wildflower honey, and the woman who knitted scarves had to take orders for more because her stock vanished before noon.

Finally, the judges called for attention to announce the winner of the contest. The crowd gathered, breaths held in anticipation. The retired chef stepped forward, his voice booming over the murmurs.

“And the winner of the inaugural Great Pumpkin Pie Contest is…” He paused for effect, enjoying the suspense. “Tommy, for his innovative chocolate pumpkin swirl pie!”

Cheers erupted from the crowd. Tommy’s face lit up with a mixture of shock and pride. Mrs. Thompson, gracious in defeat, was the first to congratulate him, whispering words of encouragement to the young baker.

Margaret handed Tommy his basket, which was filled to the brim with local cheeses, preserves, and fresh vegetables. “See you next year, champion?” she asked, winking.

Tommy nodded eagerly. “Definitely. I already have ideas for the next one!”

As the market day wound down, vendors packed up their goods, their spirits lifted by the successful event. Margaret locked up the storage shed, her heart full. The Great Pumpkin Pie Contest had not only revived interest in the market but had also brought the community together. She already envisioned next year’s contest, bigger and better. But a market organizer’s work is never done; she was going to need more than an annual pie contest if she wanted to keep the market relevant year-round. She was already thinking about a winter event to get people off their computers and back to the market...


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(746 words)


Prompt: Set your story at a farmer's market that is struggling to remain relevant this autumn.