“If you believe that something is impossible, please do not interfere with those who are doing it.”
That is the motto at the George Community Hall in the small town of George, Wash. It’s also indicative of the city’s history and residents’ continued mindset.
George is the only city in the country with a president’s full name when said with the state name. In fact, Washington is the only state named after a U.S. president.
The town was dedicated on July 4, 1957, and the patriotic homages didn’t end there.
The day of the town’s dedication, residents celebrated together by making a giant cherry pie. It weighed a half-ton and required a specially-built, jumbo-sized brick Dutch oven. It baked for three hours and cooled for four.
Annual traditions in George, WA
George has kept their giant pie-making tradition alive for the 66 years since its founding, making a giant cherry pie every July 4 as part of a massive celebration. It was recognized by the Guinness World Records for consistently making the world’s largest cherry pie, 8-foot by 8-foot. Cherry pie was known to be a favorite dessert at the founding father’s home.
Everyone at the celebration can enjoy a free piece of pie with ice cream.
The George, Washington pie-making tradition is especially impressive considering the city population grows from its normal 800-something residents to 5,000 attendees when it’s time to eat.
The Fourth of July Celebration kicks off with the Cherry Bomb Run, a two-mile fun run for all ages. It is free to attend and enjoy the music, observances, parade, vendors and fireworks.
Pie is not the only giant dessert in town made for the nation’s first president. George Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22 is celebrated with a giant cake every President’s Day weekend. A team also is brought in for worldwide HAM radio broadcasting for the celebration.
Who makes these massive baked goods? An offshoot of the George Community Hall nonprofit, a long-standing group called The Georgettes. The community group is integral to many of George’s events and activities.
Each September, George also hosts a free bluegrass festival at the community hall. But all genres of music perform.
Other George, Washington trivia
George’s love of cherries doesn’t end with their giant pie. The city streets are named after varieties of cherry trees, a nod to the infamous cherry tree apocryphal where a young George Washington supposedly said, “I cannot tell a lie” after chopping down a cherry tree.
Just in case you forget where you are, near the entrance to the city sits a bust of the founding father. It’s a replica of the one in Washington, D.C., and you can find it outside Shree’s Truck Stop and Gas Station.
George is also six miles east of the renowned outdoor Gorge Amphitheatre, which has a full summer lineup of concerts featuring artists from Keith Urban and Luke Bryan to Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell, Dave Matthews Band and Dead & Company.
Next time you’re planning a trip to the Gorge, carve out some time to stop by George. Get there by taking Exit 149 on Interstate 90.
This story was originally published June 10, 2023, 5:00 AM.
