For such a niche interest, like holding a World’s Largest record, it sure comes with a lot of drama.
Today’s slice of drama is centered around the World’s Largest Cherry Pie. If you simply google World’s Largest Cherry Pie, you’ll get a mix of search results. Some point you towards Charlevoi, some towards Traverse City and maybe you’ll even get Oliver, British Columbia. It gets even more confusing when you look at map names, two of the results claiming World’s Largest.
So I’ll make it simple, if you just want the honest to goodness facts, here they are:
The record for the World’s Larges Cherry Pie goes to Oliver, British Columbia, Canada.
The record for the World’s Largest Cherry Pit TIN goes to Traverse City, Michigan, United States.
So why is there all this confusion?
Well the whole thing started in 1976, in Charlevoix, Michigan. The small town created the first World’s Largest Cherry Pie in celebration of their cherry festival. The pie weighed in at 17,420 pounds with a 14 foot diameter.
Now, that’s a big pie! Apparently, during the process, they used a helicopter to distribute egg wash and sugar on top! Which is a crazy visual and seriously, I wish I was there to witness.
Cherlevoix was the first to earn the record, and held it for 11 long years, from 1976-1987.
Then Traverse City, Michigan must have gotten pie envy. The town, located just an hour south of Cherlevoix, had their own cherry festival and wanted to challenge the record. So in 1987, Traverse City went to work with the goal of creating an even larger cherry pie than Charlevoic. When it was completed, their pie weighed in at 28,350 pounds with a 17.5 foot diameter. Feeling proud, Traverse was victorious and took over the World’s Largest Cherry Pie Record. But to their demise, they only held this record for 5 short years.
That’s where the small town of Oliver, British Columbia comes in. In 1992, the local rotatry club wanted to bake a pie larger than life, so big that it would seem impossible to beat. Their massive pie creation weighed in at 39,638 pounds with a 20 foot diameter. As of 2026, they still hold the record today, which is 36 years of holding the record down.
A few years ago, Traverse City popped their heads back in the mix and began efforts to take the title back. They planned to beat this record with a 50,000 pound pie. They created a crowd funding site and a facebook page. The event was slated for August 6, 2023 but it’s been quiet on the forefront ever since. Who knows, maybe one day someone will try again and take the record from Oliver. We will just have to wait and find out.
BUT WAIT, the drama doesn’t just end there!
In 1990, when Oliver beat the record, the town did not, I repeat DID NOT, preserve their pie tin. Once they were done with the pie, they disposed of it. This leads us to a very interesting loop-pole. Since there is no remaining pie tin, it takes them out of the running for the record of World’s Largest Pie Tin. Which is a shame for the town, because creating a display, brings in tourists, like me.
Well, the two defeated towns still have their pie tins and they ARE on display. You can visit both. The one in Cherlevoix, is very picturesque. There’s the pie tin with a replica piece of pie built on a platform celebrating homage to the custom built oven that was made to bake the pie and in front of it all is a LARGE 40 foot sign in front of it says “World’s Largest Cherry Pie”.
To give Cherloviox, a little credit on the on the actual platform itself, it has a 1976 and 1987 sign. But if you are a tourist with no background information, you might assume that this is the actual World’s largest Cherry Pie or World’s Largest Cherry Pie tin. Which is just false advertising.
This outrage should be dealt with immediately. My suggestion is to tact a “formally” section to the sign. And it can be small, like 6 inches, one that wouldn’t really even be visible in photos. But that way, it would appease my mind and wouldn’t be false advertising.
Now since Traverse City, preserved their pie tin and it is 17.5 feet in diameter, the title of World’s Largest Pie Tin goes to Traverse City. Good job Traverse City! You are the winner!!! And this is the pie tin that should be photographed., even if it’s just a simple display. Charlevoix’s might have a better photo-op but what’s the point if the foundation is built on lies?
Quick Final Summary:
Oliver, British Columia Canada:
39,638 pounds, 20 foot diameter cherry pie
World’s Largest Cherry Pie
Did not preserve their pie tin.
Traverse City, Michigan:
28,350 pounds, 17.5 foot diameter cherry pie
World’s Largest Cherry Pie TIN
Cherlevoix, Michigan:
17,420 pounts, 14 foot diameter cherry pie
Former record holder with a picturesque tin on display
