ELEVENTH ANNUAL PETROLIA PIZZAFEST A CHEESY GOOD TIME!
Petrolia, ON – Petrolia Pizzafest organizers are celebrating a resounding success following Saturday’s event in Victoria Park, Petrolia. Seven pizza vendors were in the park and served a staggering amount of pizza. Line ups were stretching across the park, at times, while attendees waited for a slice from the vendor of their choice, and empty pizza boxes could be seen piling up between deliveries.
More than 7,300 slices were sold at the event, that started at noon and wrapped up at 7:00 p.m. Proceeds from the event will be presented to the Petrolia Community Fund at the June 24, 2024, Town Council meeting. The Petrolia Community Fund awards grants to Petrolia organizations that support the town’s goals and initiatives for a safe and healthy community.
Petrolia is not short on pizza restaurants looking to fill hungry bellies, and event organizers were pleased to host seven participants for 2024 – Domino’s Pizza, Bud’s Family Pizza, Godfather’s Pizza, Johnny G’s Premium Pizza, Petrolia Pizza & Subs, Pizza Hut, Petrolia, and Wise Guys Inc.
Four bands, including Fischer & Lovatt, BREN, Speed Wobble and The Full Disclosure Band rocked Victoria Park all day as part of the free entertainment; residents enjoyed the music from the comfort of their lawn chairs set down in the shade of the giant maples throughout the park. The First Petrolia Scouts sold cold treats, the Petrolia Lions Club tempted visitors with fries, burgers and more, The Rotary Club of Petrolia sold 50/50 tickets, Petrolia and Area Kiwanis Club members sold candy and snacks, and the Lambton Central Petrolia Optimist Club offered cold drinks. Young people were able to bounce and play all day in the bouncy houses.
Julie Bullock, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities estimates that, “More than 2,500 people enjoyed the pizza, family fun and ice cream.” The estimated economic impact in Petrolia for an event such as this is around $123,000.00 for the seven-hour event using the TREIM model.
The event was generously sponsored by Riverside Print & Signs, Bourque Renovations, MIG Engineering, Rick and Barb Charlebois, Baysar Business Solutions, Albany Retirement Village, and Holland Cleaning Solutions. The crowd was well cared for by the Support Operations Response Team (SORT).
“Events like this don’t happen without a very long list of volunteers.” Said Mayor R. Brad Loosley, who added that “…We are so fortunate to have so many passionate people in our community who participate and make the community signature events a huge success!”