UF celebrates Pi Day with pie
Hunter Tonder is baking two pies for Pi Day.
The UF health science sophomore is making a dark chocolate raspberry pie and a maple syrup peach pie for the mathematical holiday, which takes place today. The day celebrates the mathematical value, which is rounded off at 3.14.
The 20-year-old said he’s entering the pies at Gator Wesley Foundation’s annual Pi(e) Party.
“It’s a funny date, and it’s a good way to meet people,” Tonder said.
Gator Wesley is hosting the event at the Gator Wesley building at 6 p.m.
Audrey Metcalf, 20, said the event gives people a chance to come together and have fun.
“It’s a good stress reliever in the middle of the school year,” the UF anthropology junior said. “Might as well have a pie day.”
The Benton Engineering Council is using the day to help raise money for their Dance Marathon team. For the event, people pledge money for students to dance 26.2 hours for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Michael Silberling, president of the council, said the organization is asking for donations of $3.14 or more to help raise money.
In the past, Silberling said the organization sold pie to students to eat or to throw in a professor’s face. This year, the organization was unable to find a sponsor for the event.
“We’re trying to do it all online and see if we can expand our reach,” Silberling, 22, said.
- Melissa Gomez
Blaze Pizza celebrates Pi Day
Blaze Pizza, situated at 3617 SW Archer Road, will celebrate Pi Day with $3.14 pizzas from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday.
The national company will also preview restaurant openings, feature guests and reveal pop-up pizza parties on its Snapchat, @blazepizza, according to a press release.
Laurie Ruggles, an operating partner for Blaze Pizza in North Central Florida, said the event started in 2012 with the opening of the first franchises.
“The goal is to thank our loyal guests and celebrate Pi Day,” she said. “Locals will be able to enjoy a build-your-own pizza with unlimited toppings for $3.14.”
After the Archer Road location opened Jan. 8, 2015, employees made more than 2,000 pizzas on Pi Day, Ruggles said.
“The guests were having fun, and so were the employees,” she said.
The regular price for a build-your-own pizza is $7.95, and Ruggles said the goal is to have each pizza done in four minutes.
“In Gainesville specifically, we have finishes that we put on our pizza,” Ruggles said. “Gainesville students are huge fans of the pesto sauce.”
Lauren Browning, a 19-year-old UF health science sophomore, said Blaze is her favorite pizza place.
“I went to Pi Day last year,” she said. “Although the line was long, the wait was worth it for the price and the delicious food.”
- Melissa Rodriguez
