Asheville is gearing up for an exciting Pi Day celebration in 2025, combining mathematics, fitness, and delicious treats in a community-wide event. The centerpiece of the festivities is the Pi Fun Run at UNC Asheville, where participants will cover exactly 3.14 miles in honor of the famous mathematical constant. The run is just one part of a larger celebration that includes special pie discounts at local bakeries and an innovative wine and pie pairing event. This mathematical holiday brings together Asheville’s love for education, outdoor activities, and exceptional food in a uniquely fun way.
Run, Celebrate, and Eat Pie at UNC Asheville’s Pi Fun Run
Mark your calendars for March 16, 2025, when the Pi Fun Run kicks off at precisely 3:14 PM at UNC Asheville. This isn’t just another charity run – it’s a celebration of mathematics through physical activity. The event will begin on the Quad in front of Ramsey Library at 2500 University Heights, where participants will tackle a course measuring exactly 3.14 miles.
The registration fees have been thoughtfully structured to reflect the theme: $10 for students, $31.41 for general participants, and $50 for virtual runners who want to participate from anywhere. All proceeds from the event benefit the Marvelous Math Club, an organization dedicated to building leadership skills in elementary students through mathematical exploration.
What makes this run especially tempting is the reward waiting at the finish line. After completing the 3.14-mile course, participants will be treated to delicious pie – because what better way to celebrate Pi Day than with its homophonic dessert counterpart? To secure your spot in this unique educational and culinary experience, visit the Eventbrite Pi Fun Run registration page.
If you’re looking for creative ways to join the mathematical fun while indulging your taste buds, I’ve collected some delicious Pi Day celebration ideas to inspire your festivities. From math-themed decorations to circular treats, there’s no shortage of ways to make this numerical holiday special.
Asheville’s Best Pie Deals for Pi Day
Asheville’s bakeries and restaurants are embracing Pi Day with special offers that make mathematical sense. Pot Pie, located at 202 Stone Ridge Blvd, is offering 20% off all their savory creations for Pi(e) Day. Their hand-crafted savory pies make for a perfect dinner before indulging in something sweeter.
The Baked Pie Company is going all-in with the mathematical theme, pricing slices at just $3.14 (normally $5.49) and taking $3.14 off pie flights or whole pies. You can find these incredible deals at both their locations: 50 N. Merrimon Ave and 4 Long Shoals Rd. Their variety of pies ranges from traditional apple to innovative flavor combinations that will satisfy any pie enthusiast.
Buxton Hall Barbecue, known for combining Southern barbecue with exceptional pastry, is another must-visit location at 32 Banks Ave in South Slope. Their pastry chef creates pies that perfectly balance homestyle comfort with culinary expertise. While in West Asheville, OWL Bakery at 295 Haywood Rd offers artisanal baked goods worth exploring on this mathematical holiday.
Don’t miss Well-Bred Bakery, which has earned a reputation for their outstanding key lime pie. You can find this tangy delight at their Asheville location (6 Boston Way) or in Weaverville (26 N. Main St). For anyone looking for exceptional Pi Day deals around town, check out my guide to sweet Pi Day deals that won’t break the bank.
Sip and Savor: Wine and Pie Pairing Event
For those who appreciate the finer things in life, plēb urban winery is hosting a sophisticated celebration on Thursday, March 14, 2025. This unique event combines the pleasures of wine tasting with the comfort of pie in honor of Pi Day. For just $14, guests can enjoy a carefully curated experience featuring three wines paired with three pie slices from Baked Pie Company.
Located at 289 Lyman St in Asheville, plēb urban winery specializes in crafting wines from locally sourced grapes. Their tasting room provides an ideal setting for this mathematical celebration, with knowledgeable staff guiding participants through each pairing. The combination of local wines with Baked Pie Company’s creations promises a sensory experience that transcends the ordinary.
Each wine has been selected to complement the specific characteristics of its paired pie slice, creating harmonies of flavor that highlight both components. This event offers a perfect opportunity to learn about wine pairing principles while celebrating Pi Day in style. Reservations are recommended as this event typically sells out quickly.
The wine and pie pairing event showcases how Asheville’s food scene continues to evolve in creative directions. By bringing together two local businesses, plēb urban winery and Baked Pie Company, this collaboration strengthens community bonds while offering residents a unique culinary experience centered around a mathematical holiday.
Understanding Pi: A Brief History of the Mathematical Constant
While we enjoy our pie slices and fun runs, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the mathematical constant that inspired this celebration. Pi (π) represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, approximately 3.14159, though its decimal places continue infinitely without repeating.
The concept of Pi was discovered by Greek mathematician Archimedes in the 2nd century B.C.E., though ancient civilizations had approximations of this ratio long before that. Archimedes used an ingenious method of inscribing and circumscribing polygons around circles to determine that Pi lies between 3 10/71 and 3 1/7 – a remarkable calculation for his time.
The symbol π wasn’t introduced until 1706, when Welsh mathematician William Jones first used it. The symbol was later popularized by Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler in the 18th century. Since then, π has become one of the most recognized mathematical symbols in popular culture.
Pi Day itself was first celebrated in 1988 at the San Francisco Exploratorium, when physicist Larry Shaw organized a circular parade and pie-eating event on March 14 (3/14). The celebration has since expanded globally, with math enthusiasts and educators finding creative ways to honor this irrational number. For those with dietary restrictions who still want to join the fun, I’ve compiled gluten-free pie recipes for Pi Day that everyone can enjoy.
Building Community Through Mathematical Celebration
Pi Day in Asheville exemplifies how an educational concept can bring a community together in meaningful ways. The celebration combines learning with pleasure, making mathematics accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages. Events like the Pi Fun Run demonstrate how physical activity, charity, and education can intersect in a single joyful occasion.
I encourage everyone to participate in these Pi Day festivities, whether by running the 3.14 miles at UNC Asheville, sampling discounted pies from local bakeries, or attending the wine and pie pairing event. Each of these activities supports local businesses and organizations while celebrating a fundamental mathematical concept.
Beyond organized events, consider sharing your Pi Day experiences on social media. Post photos of your favorite pies, share your running achievements, or recommend local bakeries you’ve discovered. You might even want to submit a dessert recipe to be featured on our site if you have a special pie creation worth sharing.
Asheville’s Pi Day celebration reminds us of the quote shared by organizers: “Celebrate knowledge and community through the love of pie!” This sentiment captures the dual purpose of the holiday – honoring mathematical discovery while fostering community connections through shared experiences. For more information on all the Pi Day events happening around Asheville, visit AVLtoday’s comprehensive guide.
While enjoying the festivities, don’t forget to check out our churro-themed apparel shop for math and dessert lovers alike. And if you discover a fantastic local dessert shop during your Pi Day adventures, please submit it to our business directory so others can enjoy it too!