If you have enjoyed the uptick in events for Nevada’s Main Street District of late, you will love this news: On Saturday, May 14, 2022, Nevada’s Main Street will play host to the community’s first-ever Pizza•Pie•Looza, headlined by country music superstar Jo Dee Messina.
Pizza•Pie•Looza is the product of an evolution of Runners United Nevada’s RUN Country Fest & 5K, and builds on that event’s success in 2020 and 2021. Pizza•Pie•Looza will bring together a number of entities in Nevada, including The Nevada Foundation, City of Nevada, Main Street Nevada, Runners United Nevada, Nevada Jaycees, and the local Nevada business community.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to show off the progress we have made in our Main Street District and an opportunity to continue to build our brand as a destination community,” said Mayor Brett Barker.
The event will kick off with the Pizza•Pie•Looza 5k at 1 p.m. Beginning at 2 p.m., a variety of vendors – predominately pizza- and pie-themed – will be present, along with live music from a variety of local acts and other activities. At 6 p.m., gates will open for the main stage, with the concert beginning at 7 p.m.
Jo Dee Messina, who charted nine number-one singles and a collection of other top-10 singles on the Billboard Country Charts, including fan-favorites “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” “I’m Alright,” “Bye Bye,” and “Lesson In Leavin’,” will headline the evening, joined by special guest, Jason Pritchett.
Last year’s Country Fest & 5K event featured country stars Bryan White and Wade Hayes, with White even running the race prior to headlining the post-race concert. Dane Nealson, President of Runners United Nevada, said the 2021 event showed that Nevada has an appetite for country music.
“This year, we are looking to build on that in a huge way. Thanks to the incredible support of our event sponsors, we are in a position to be able to create an event that will appeal to a large number of people in our community and from well beyond to show off all that Nevada has to offer,” said Nealson.
Nevada’s Burke Corporation, a giant in the pizza toppings business, has jumped in to help sponsor the event and Messina’s appearance. Burke also hopes to bring a number of its pizza-based clients into town as vendors.
“As the leading pizza topping manufacturer for over 45 years, Burke is excited to partner with the City of Nevada and the Pizza•Pie•Looza event,” said Burke Corporation President Chad Randick. “We are looking forward to a great community event and are delighted to be a part of bringing a household name like Jo Dee Messina to Nevada.”
Pizza•Pie•Looza will take place in the Main Street District. The main stage will be located in Nevada’s City Hall parking lot. Any food businesses, restaurants, food trucks, or other vendors are invited to participate with a booth along the street. The only requirement for vendors is that they offer a pizza and/or pie item in their menu. Spaces are limited, so please reach out soon if you are interested.
For more event information, visit www.pizzapielooza.com or follow Pizza•Pie•Looza on Facebook. For information on how to become a vendor, email Marlys Barker at mbarker@cityofnevadaiowa.org. Tickets to see Jo Dee Messina go on sale March 1 at www.pizzapielooza.com.
