Grass sprouting. Baseball training. Robins returning. There are many signs that signal spring's return. But in Bayfield, the aroma of fresh, homemade pies does the trick.

Once again, the Pine River Valley Heritage Society is throwing its annual Cabin Fever Dinner and Pie Auction at 5:30 p.m. Saturday night, Feb. 25, at the Church of Christ on Bayfield Parkway. The event features a free helping of chili or gluten-free broccoli cheese soup, and potato soup with or without ham. Entertainment will be provided by the wise-cracking Joel Racheff from the Bar D Wranglers.

But the highlight of the night is always the pie - home-baked by valley residents and auctioned off to the highest bidders. All the proceeds flow to the all-volunteer Bayfield history museum on Mill Street - open all summer free of charge to visitors and local alike.

Ace auctioneer Ron Dunavant and the royalty from the La Plata County Fair will present each pie for bidding. For those who can't wait or don't want an entire pie, $2 slices will be sold on the spot. And for those on a diet, there are several no-calorie items also up for bid - including a pair of tickets to ride the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

More pies are welcome with drop-off at 5 p.m. at the church at 2011 Bayfield Parkway.