Pictured are past participants of the Celebrity Pie Smash. (Photo courtesy of Peace Pie Company)
MARQUETTE — Friday, March 13th is Spread Goodness Day and Peace Pie Company and Barrel and Beam are celebrating by hosting the 4th annual Celebrity Pie Smash event. From 4-6 p.m. at Barrel and Beam, community members can donate $5 either to pie a local celebrity, or to redirect someone else’s pie.
Sixteen local celebrities will be in attendance, including Bobby Glenn Brown, Ashley Scheiding and Greg Zyburt. All proceeds raised will go towards Six Feet Over, an organization which provides financial and emotional support to survivors of suicide loss, as well as community suicide prevention efforts.
“The first ever celebrity pie smash was on March 13, 2020,” said Anna Dravland, founder of Spread Goodness Day. “One of the celebrities that volunteered was Pat Bray, the executive director of the Trillium House at the time. Unbeknownst to the audience, Pat and his best friend, Dave Aro, had preplanned that Dave was going to deck him in the face with a pie. It was a special moment of friendship and making a silly thing even sillier.
“On Nov. 30, 2021, Pat took his life and Dave was there. In the immediate aftermath of the loss, he was advised that the family would be responsible for cleaning up the room. He immediately went into action and founded an Upper Peninsula chapter of Six Feet Over. They are a nonprofit organization providing financial and emotional support to survivors of suicide loss.
“This can include specialized cleaning services, temporary housing, mental health services, funeral expenses and more,” Dravland said.
Dravland chose to donate future Celebrity Pie Smash proceeds to the organization as a way of honoring Pat Bray, as well as to reduce stigma around suicide loss.
“Last year, we had one of our celebrities suddenly request the microphone before the next round. She shared a touching story about losing her best friend to suicide,” said Dravland. “She had pie all over her face. The absurdity and silliness made it feel lighter, safer. Less taboo.. Somehow, the pie in her face was like a safety net.
“We laughed, we cried, and then we smiled and threw pie. And we’re doing it again! Bigger, better, with more shenanigans!”
“This year’s event takes place on the eve of Pi(e) Day (3/14), making it an especially fitting celebration for Peace Pie Company as they also mark their second anniversary,” says the event description. “Partnering with Spread Goodness Day is a natural fit, as both organizations share a mission of fostering community and spreading goodness.”
Dravland is urging people to come out and donate, especially as there are currently two Upper Peninsula families waiting on services from Six Feet Over, who are low on funds.
“People can donate today and help a family in need immediately,” said Dravland. Online donations can be made using the QR code posted on Spread Goodness Day and Peace Pie Company’s Facebook pages.
There will be door prizes and snacks at the event, and Barrel and Beam beverages will be available for purchase.
For those unable to attend the event itself, livestreaming of the event will be available, and remote viewers can donate via QR code to have their pie thrown by a volunteer.
Dravland would like to give special thanks to event sponsor Jeremy Hansen & Fassbender-Swanson-Hansen Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.
MARQUETTE — The Fire Station is partnering with Citizens for a Safe & Clean Lake Superior to launch Marquette …