Pictou County ready for pizza feast

Pictou County locals can enjoy their favourite local delicacy at the Rotary Pizza Fest 2018 on April 28 at the Pictou County Wellness Centre.

While guests chow down on pizza, money raised from the festival will be used by the Rotary Club of New Glasgow to help pay for a new playground at Rotary Park.

“The money is to stay right here locally,” said Rotarian Jeff Davis.

Possible themes for the new playground include a train set or boat that children can play in, reflecting both the railway and maritime heritage of New Glasgow.

The Rotary Club, which backs projects both locally and abroad, decided on a local playground after its members and young families indicated they needed one.

While locally raised money will be vital for the new playground, Davis said that other funding sources may also play a part, such as The Great Trail (formerly the Trans Canada Trail) fund.

Davis added that he had also been in talks with potential local sponsors and had contacted the office of local MP Sean Fraser.

“There’s lots of options,” said Davis.

While the Rotary Club is keen to build the new playground, the pizza festival is also a chance for local vendors to showcase both their food and beverage specialties. Some local pizza shops may offer slightly more exotic varieties, such as a chicken shawarma pizza.

“It’s something that people take a lot of pride in,” said Davis. “It’s signature local products.”

Advance tickets cost $25 and can be bought from the New Glasgow Scotiabank, Big Al’s and the Pictou County Wellness Centre. Tickets will cost $30 at the door.

Attendees can also partake in a silent auction on a barbecue donated by Canadian Tire.

However, Davis urged festivalgoers to buy their tickets early, as there are only 350 available at time of writing.

The festival start time is 7 p.m.