The last day to enter the Gillespie County Pecan Show and Bake-Off is Monday, Dec. 8.
Entries will be accepted from 7-10 a.m. on Monday. The first entry costs $5, all additional entries are free.
This year’s festivities will consist of three events, including the county pecan show, a pecan bake-off and an educational program in the afternoon.
Entries for the Pecan Show can be dropped off at the Extension Office, 28 Business Ct., through Dec. 8 at 10 a.m.
Judging will begin at 10 a.m. for the Pecan Show and Bake-off. All the events will take place at the Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Office, 38 Business Court, Fredericksburg.
Finalists from this competition will move onto the state competition in June 2026.
Dr. Larry Stein of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will start the pecan program at 1 p.m. The cost to attend the program is $10.
Pecan Show
Contestants must bring entries in a brown paper bag of 40-42 pecans of the same variety that were grown by the submitter in Gillespie County in 2025.
Seedlings, known hybrids and native pecans can be entered also, but will have their own categories, respectively.
Smallest pecan entries need to have at least a pound of nuts present.
If entries contain more than one variety of pecan, they will be disqualified. The office asks growers collect nuts from only one tree.
Competitors can enter only one entry per variety, except for natives, seedlings and hybrids.
Pecans that have been altered in any way, including but not limited to sanding, cutting or polishing will be disqualified.
The champions from the natives, classic/new and commercial divisions will be awarded Champion Pecan Yard signs.
Pecan Bake-Off
Pecan bake-off classes and required servings are as follows: pecan pie (2 slices), pecan cookies and bars (1/2 dozen), pecan candy (6 pieces), and other (6 pieces/2 slices/2 cups).
Items that require refrigeration cannot be entered. Items will be judged on flavor, appearance and amount of pecans in the recipe. Pecans used in the recipe do not need be grown by the baker; they can be bought.
Each recipe must use at least ½ cup of pecans. There are three age categories: kindergarten to sixth grade (or age equivalent), seventh t o 12th grade and adults (18+). Exhibitors can enter one item per class and must have prepared the item themselves. Entries should be displayed in disposable containers.
The cost to enter is $5 for the first entry per person, with additional entries free. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners as well as “The Bake Off Champion.”
Participation is limited to residents of Gillespie and surrounding counties.
For information contact Beth McMahon at elizabeth. mcmahon@ag.tamu. edu or Shea Nebgen at Shea.Nebgen@ag.tamu. edu or call the Gillespie County Extension Office at 830-997-3452.
