Information Details: 724-266-3040 or www.ambridgechamber.com.

Even by Pittsburgh standards, Ambridge is, pierogi-wise, a remarkable place.

More than a half dozen churches regularly make and sell the little dumplings to raise money for their good works.

This weekend, they'll compete in a "Pierogi Challenge" at Ambridge Nationality Days.

St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Good Samaritan Catholic Parish, St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church and St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church (in Baden, but sister to an Ambridge church) all will enter their edibles in the contest at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

The best church wins bragging rights and a trophy, says Bea Patterson, president of the Ambridge Area Chamber of Commerce.

Another pierogi-making church, Holy Ghost Russian Orthodox, isn't competing, as it's busy with its 100th anniversary.

Pierogis are a big deal here. "They really are," says Ms. Patterson, who's used to seeing people lining up on Friday mornings to buy thousands of them. "The pierogie are financially sustaining a couple of churches."

Locals are so familiar with their favorites, that Ms. Patterson much choose judges carefully.

"I can guarantee some people can tell. Everybody has a favorite."

The 42nd Annual Nationality Days, which runs tomorrow through Sunday, features a record 36 food vendors (including some of the churches) and all sorts of other fun, including a parade, showings of "Ambridge: A Picture History," at the Ambridge Family Theatre, an indoor "Hall of Nations" and other displays and crafts.

All three days feature "mostly ethnic" dancing, music and other entertainment.

The pierogis you can buy from the churches usually on Fridays, Ms. Patterson says, though they tend to take a break from making them in summer.