Newark’s Massive Pizza Party Falls Short of Breaking World Record Despite Hoping for 10,000 People

At the Prudential Center, a bold attempt to make history fell flat. Just 3,500 pizza lovers turned up for what could have been Newark's biggest moment in food history. The Boys and Girls Club had big plans: they wanted 10,000 people to show up.

New Haven set the bar high. Their pizza party drew 4,525 people just days before. Not wanting to run short, Newark's team stocked up with 1,200 fresh pies.

"I'm here to have fun, and also eat a lot of pizza, and also so I can be in history for the world record," said Madison, age 9, according to News 12 New Jersey while waiting in line with her sisters.

Papa John's franchise owner, Disrupt Foods, teamed up with the local Boys and Girls Club to put on the big show. Crowds started forming well before the official count began.

Ameer Washington, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Newark, shared the vision behind the event. "The first iteration was the kids learning about the store and learning how it works and then going on to learn how to make a business plan," Washington said. "The test was, 'How are you guys going to put that business plan into play? How about trying to do the largest pizza party in the world' and the kids said, 'Yeah, let's go.'"

This wasn't just about pizza. Young minds got real business skills, working in stores and planning big events. The record try mixed fun with learning, giving kids a taste of what it takes to run a major event.

The clock was ticking. New Haven had snatched the crown from Oklahoma City with their 4,525-person gathering. That was the magic number Newark needed to beat.

As Monday night's 8:30 deadline approached, the final count came in. With 3,500 attendees, Newark missed the mark by 1,025 people. Still, thousands got to be part of something special: even if it wasn't record-breaking.