Hoops, pizza and beer on tap for Carson City Rotary fundraiser

Rotarians are looking for more than a few brew fanciers and pizza aficionados to partake of such fare at a fundraiser to benefit Carson City students and charities.

The Carson City Rotary Club is holding the second annual city Beer and Pizza Championships Saturday at 5:30 p.m., again in the Carson Mall, with area pizza companies and microbreweries serving top selections.

The competition has the vendors vying to win Best Pizza, Best Microbrew, the People’s Choice and other awards.

“Everyone had a great time last year, and the sponsor vendors loved seeing so many new faces,” said Bill Kirby, Rotary Club president.

Among the participating beer vendors this year are High Sierra Brewing Co., which is co-hosting the event, plus Great Basin Brewing Co., Alaskan Brewery, Feisty Goat Brewing, Goose Island Brewing Co. Lagunitas Brewing Co., Mammoth Brewing Co. and Big Dogs Brewery — Las Vegas.

Pizza vendors named are High Sierra Brewing, Little Caesars, Round Table Pizza, Papa Murphy’s, Tiamo’s, Red’s 395, Wally’s, Garibaldi’s and Bodines. Dessert will be from Karen’s Kupcakes.

Tickets cost $40 and are available by calling Rotary at 775-220-6758, or from some local businesses and at the door.

Proceeds benefit local student scholarships and teaching excellence, as well as charities in the city such as Circles of Support, Friends Helping in Service (FISH), the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, the Brewery Arts Center and others, according to Anne Hansen, a Rotarian who is with Western Nevada College.

“This is our main fundraiser,” she said, noting more than 400 attended last year when it raised more than $35,000.

There will be two large-screen televisions for folks wanting to watch NCAA tournament basketball games, Hansen said, as well as live music and dancing, a silent auction and a live auction. Among the available items will be a Boston vacation, a used but recently detailed Chevrolet Suburban and a wheelbarrow of wine.