BETHLEHEM, Pa. — No matter how you slice it, at least part of a new ArtsQuest festival will be cheesy.
And some of it will be saucy.
Pizzafest, which ArtsQuest calls "a celebration of all things pizza," will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.
"Come out for the Greater Lehigh Valley’s best pizza vendors, along with pizza-themed entertainment and games."ArtsQuest news release
"Come out for the Greater Lehigh Valley’s best pizza vendors, along with pizza-themed entertainment and games for Pizzafest presented by Surfside Vodka," the non-profit ArtsQuest said in a release Tuesday.
General admission tickets, at $5 and $10 the week of the event, are available on the SteelStacks website.
Those tickets will get access to entertainment throughout Pizzafest, including music, game shows and more.
And, of course, attendees will get to eat pizza from all vendors and drinks from the Mack Truck Stop, Central Tap and the Pour Bar.
Early access tickets, at $15 and $20 the week of the event, offers an hour early access to the event.
Extra experiences
VIP Italian Cocktail Tasting tickets, at $69 and $79 the week of the event, for ages 21 and older, will have ArtsQuest partnering with Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits and Levy Restaurants to put together an array of Italian-themed cocktails and light bites.
Award-winning mixologist Neil Heimsoth of Mobile Bar H will talk through the histories of the four apertif-forward cocktails — the Aperol Spritz, the Americano, the Garibaldi and the Negroni, and why they’re so good at preparing your pallet for pizza.
The food pairing with the cocktails will include:
- Pizza Pie Bites | Parmesan Cheese, Roasted Garlic Marinara, Fried Basil, Focaccia Bread
- Antipasto Pizza Skewers | Ciliegine mozzarella, Salami, Lemon Oregano Heirloom Tomato, Drizzled with house-made herb oil
- Italian Da Vinci Ciabatta | Smokey Tomato Jam, Garlic Aioli, Calabrese Pepperoni, Fresh Sliced Mozzarella, Arugula.
And the Pizzafest VIP Experience: Charcuterie and Wine Pairing for ages 21 an older, also at $69 and $79, will have Pat’s Pizza and Bistro and Domaine Pterion Vineyard & Winery teaming up for a charcuterie and wine pairing.
It will match four wines from Domaine Pterion, which specializes in dry European-style wines, with charcuterie hand-picked by Yiannis of Pat’s Pizza and Bistro.
Yiannis and one of Domaine Pterion’s winemakers also will talk through each of the pairings and what makes them go so well together.
The extra experience tickets also will include early access to Pizzafest from 12 to 1 p.m.; a special pizza-themed gift; access to entertainment throughout Pizzafest, including music, game shows and more; and access to all food vendors and drinks sold from the Mack Truck Stop, Central Tap, the Pour Bar and more.
A piece of the pie
“Pizzafest is an idea long in the making being realized through SteelStacks' celebration of all things pizza," ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer Patrick Brogan said.
"A gathering of some of the greatest compliers of dough, sauce and cheese in our region — from food trucks to brick-and-mortar restaurant favorites — we could not be more excited to present this inaugural addition."ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer Patrick Brogan
"A gathering of some of the greatest compliers of dough, sauce and cheese in our region — from food trucks to brick-and-mortar restaurant favorites — we could not be more excited to present this inaugural addition.
“Get your tickets now for your piece of the pies!”
Current pizza vendors include: Charred, Il Forno a Legna, J Rad’s Woodfired, JerseyRollz Pizza, Lehigh Pizza, Pat’s Pizza and Bistro, PFG Pizza, Scarlet Fire Authentic Neapolitan Pizza and more to be announced.
Brogan said the festival has room for "just a few more vendors. So if your place has a favorite slice of the Valley – we want you.”
Interested vendors should contact Operations Specialist Kyle Ring at kring@artsquest.org or Senior Director of Programming Ryan Hill at rhill@artsquest.org.
Additional food vendors include Charlie’s Italian Sausage, Grubnight Food Truck, Kona Ice, Mon and Mel’s Sweet Scoops, Pies to Die For and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee.
