FAIRFIELD – Fairfield Public Library celebrated “Pi Day” on March 14 with pie and pie-shaped foods, a display dedicated to baking pie, and a “pi contest,” where contenders competed to see who could recite the most digits of pi.

The number π, spelled pi, refers to the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Rounded to two decimal places, the number is 3.14, which is why the library and other groups have taken to calling March 14 (3/14) “Pi Day.”

The library celebrated Pi Day last year with freshly baked fruit and custard pies prepared by local community members, and the celebration only grew in 2024. In addition to having 15 pies donated by local bakers, the library served patrons other circular foods such as quesadillas and pizza. Fairfield Public Library Director Alecs Schmidt Mickunas kicked off the festivities at exactly 3:14 p.m., leading the patrons in shouting, “Happy Pi Day!”

Librarian Joy Craig suggested serving pie for Pi Day last year, and the event went so well the library decided to do it again, and make it even bigger. Schmidt said the pizza came from Pizza Hut, a frequent partner of the library who he said is supportive of their initiatives.

“They give us free pizza coupons during the summer reading program, and they are always supportive of literacy,” Schmidt Mickunas said.

Schmidt Mickunas said the library invited other city staff to the event to show the library’s appreciation for their hard work.

“We invited all the police and everybody at city hall because they work so hard and do a lot of amazing things for us behind the scenes,” Schmidt Mickunas said. “We really wanted to celebrate them, too.”

Craig made the quesadillas, which were served by Julia Martindale. Martindale’s mother Sara is the children’s librarian, and she served punch to the library’s patrons that day. Those who contributed pies were Billy Hunter, “Grandma Mary,” Heidi Salmonson, Afton Pedrick, Gwen Pedrick, Joy Craig and Ella Phillips, Audrey and Sara Martindale, and the Fairfield Women’s Club, who did so in memory of Norma Bauman, who passed away on Feb. 12 of this year. A sign by the serving station thanked the bakers and listed all the flavors of pie, of which there were 13 varieties including gooseberry, peach blueberry and apple cranberry.

Later that afternoon, the library hosted a competition to see who could recite the most digits of pi, which was won by Fairfield resident Rick Shaddock, who recited about 30 decimal places, which earned him a gift card to Big Açaí. Ryan Miller came in second place, having recited more than 20 decimal places.

Schmidt Mickunas said this contest, reciting the most digits of pi, has become a staple of Pi Day festivities around the country and the world.

Pi Day was one of a series of events the library hosted during Spring Break Week from March 11-15. Fairfield Children’s Librarian Sara Martindale said turnout during the library’s spring break events was great, especially considering the warm weather, which often hurts attendance at indoor events.

“We’ve had like 20 or 30 people [per event] this week, and we’re at 108 right now for this one,” Martindale said Thursday afternoon.