The party is set to spotlight about 20 Arizona pizzerias serving fresh slices. If the list is missing your favorite spot, that's not a bug but a feature, explains David Tyda, the man behind Phoenix Pizza Festival and other Valley events.
One of the common criticisms the event receives, Tyda says, is that the "heavy hitters" aren't represented.
"We don't need the heavy hitters. I want attendees experiencing some of these mobile pizza vendors that they've never tried before, and you'd never really get a chance to try because they only do farmers markets or weddings and corporate caterings," Tyda says. "And some of these mobile pizza vendors, it's mind-blowing how good their pizza is."
Being a mobile vendor typically entails having a wood-fired oven on a trailer or inside a truck. In addition to the classic varieties, some more innovative pizza dishes are coming to downtown, including Pinwheel's unconventional pizza roll.
"Just picture a giant cinnamon roll, but now as if it had a baby with pizza." Tyda says. "It's strangely so good."
Then there's Tucson's Lumbre a la Leña, which uses Mexican ingredients such as carne asada, chorizo and drizzled salsa to top their pies.
The event is put on by PHX Fest, an event company run by Tyda and business partner Lisa Duffield, with a portion of the proceeds supporting Downtown Phoenix Inc. Tickets are $16 each and must be bought online. Slices are sold separately by the individual vendors.
The event takes place at Margaret T. Hance Park and runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
In addition to the pizza, attendees can purchase beer, wine and desserts. Other draws include a kids zone, lawn games and — the main attraction beside the pizza — live music.
"Usually this time of year, the weather is just so beautiful," Tyda says. "So if you can just picture yourself with a slice of pizza and a cold beer on the grass of a city park in front of a stage where someone is playing bluegrass or that country sort of American rock — it's a vibe."
Phoenix Pizza Festival
Nov. 16 - 171202 N. Third St.
