The war is over.
The inaugural “Pizza Wars” event hosted by the Merchants of Third Avenue Civic Improvement Association, Inc. (MoTA) in partnership with the Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) and 86th Street BID drew hundreds of people — many clad in their best intergalactic garb — on May 4, aka “Star Wars Day.”
The walking tour of 12 of Bay Ridge’s best pizzerias included a “Star Wars” costume contest that saw prizes awarded for best individual and best group costume.
Each of the participating restaurants served up slices to visitors “on the avenue” all day long in an effort to gain intergalactic bragging rights and receive the inaugural “Pizza Wars” trophy.
After an incredible “duel of the plates,” MoTA President James Vavas announced that Elegante Pizzeria, 6922 Fifth Ave., had been voted the winner. Owner Anthony Varvara gladly accepted the trophy at the after-party hosted by Brooklyn Firefly, 7003 Third Ave., which finished in second place. Mancini’s Wood-Fired Pizza, which generated lots of buzz on social media with its creative Baby Yoda pie, came in third.
Varvara said he was extremely pleased to have been named the winner and praised the idea of all three commercial thoroughfares working together.
“It means a lot,” he said. “It was a great day and there were a lot of great pizzerias participating. It’s good for the neighborhood.”
Varvara’s family has owned and operated Elegante since 1979.
“It’s a family business, for sure,” he said. “It’s hard to believe how long it’s been — 46 years already.”
On the big day, Varvara said he enjoyed seeing the costumed customers really get into character as they sampled his eatery’s signature slice.
“It was great. You had pizza lovers and ‘Star Wars’ lovers all at once,” he said. “Some of them went all out. When I saw the lady who ended up winning, I knew right away that she would be in the running.”
Varvara was referring to individual costume contest winner Theresa Guariglia, who came dressed as Ahsoka Tano. She received a cash prize courtesy of the Ragamuffin Parade Committee, as did a young group of friends who won best group costume.
The official trophy handed to Varvara featured a golden pizza cutter on a colorful plaque. It is something he said he will display with pride until the next inter-avenue battle takes place.
“It’s right in front of me, actually,” he said. “I keep it right where I make the pizza.”
Be sure to check out the trophy yourself and taste a winning slice the next time you’re “on the avenue.” You won’t be disappointed!
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Parade season is in full swing “on the avenue!”
This weekend, it’s the annual 17th of May Parade marking Norway’s independence on Sunday, May 18, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The parade route runs from 85th Street and Third Avenue to 75th Street, then up 75th Street to Fifth Avenue to 67th Street and into Leif Ericson Park, where the reviewing grandstand will be located.
Vintage Viking ships and other historical floats are a highlight of this beloved Bay Ridge tradition each year.
Next, it’s the 158th Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade, which takes place on Memorial Day itself, May 26.
The patriotic march steps off from 78th Street and Third Avenue at 11 a.m. and proceeds to Marine Avenue, up to Fourth Avenue and over to John Paul Jones Park for a memorial service that includes bagpipes, a flag raising ceremony, a wreath laying by veteran service organizations, a 21-gun salute by the Veteran Corps of Artillery, and the playing of Taps, organizers said.
The 2025 grand marshal is Major General Kris A. Belanger, General, 99th Readiness Division. Deputy grand marshals are John Callaghan, FDNY, USMC; and the Merchants of Third Avenue Civic Improvement Association, Inc.
Hope to see lots of Norwegian and American pride on the avenue!
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If you’re doing something noteworthy “on the avenue,” reach out to me directly at [email protected]!
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