New Haven is looking to party its way into the record books — with a pizza party, that is.
Connecticut’s third-most populated city has its eyes on the Guinness World Record, previously set by the Pizza World Champions in Tulsa, Oklahoma, back on Jan. 21, 2023.
That party has 3,357 participants. New Haven seeks 5,000 people in its record-breaking attempt.
“No one is going to really know what it’s about until they come here and try it,” Liane Page with Big Green Truck Pizza said of the attempt which is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 12.
Page said there is nothing like New Haven apizza, a common sentiment. She would know — she and Big Green Truck were at the front of the Pizza Truck revolution.
They were enlisted for an important mission in the Elm City.
Big Green Truck is handling the pies, and the city is handling the logistics, with plenty of hands from partners.
“We plan on bringing four of our trucks, lining them up and feeding everybody,” Page said.
The world’s largest pizza party will happen between 4 and 7 p.m. ET on that Friday — the same day as the city’s annual Apizza Feast.
Mayor Justin Elicker said he expects New Haven to “crush” the 3,358-person record set in Tulsa.
“When we plant our stake in the ground — and have the largest pizza party in history, we are going to crush that, yes,” he said.
Officials say they are going to section off about a quarter of the green for the backdrop of this pizza party.
They must follow a very specific set of rules because this is a legitimate world record, so about 400 people at a time will be eating pizza.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who has also become known for his pizza reviews from around the country, says New Haven pizza is the best in the world and says the state’s new list of Top 20 pizzerias is spot on.
They are bringing in a judge from Guinness World Records to ensure compliance in their attempt to beat the record.
“We do great things here and it takes a big group effort but this is serious, this is like playing a pizza game, and if you want to participate, we want you to take this serious,” said Colin Caplan, creator of Taste Of New Haven and an avid New Haven pizza advocate.
The city isn’t leaving it up to chance, they are also looking for volunteers to help count and keep the event going, and are working on a system to ensure they remain in compliance with Guinness’ standards.
“We want a legitimate win here,” Elicker said.
They estimate they will hand out more than 10,000 slices to break the record.
The attempt also falls on the same day as the New Haven Grand Prix (as well as the pizza festival), giving attendees more options during the celebration of New Haven.
Voting has officially kicked off for the Pizza Capital Trail, and Connecticut isn’t missing the chance to highlight its pizza.
They estimate, in total, more than 20,000 slices will be eaten in the city that night alone.
Now, they just need the 5,000 mouths to feed, and they are looking for participation.
It’s $15 for a ticket to participate in the record attempt, and it comes with two slices of pizza to be eaten during the record attempt, a drink and water.
“If you are watching at home, be a part of history, by joining this pizza party,” Elicker said.
