Why You Should Attend the Sugar and Slice Festival in Fort Lauderdale
- Ariel Tilayoff
- Oct 27
- 6 min read
If you’re a food lover in South Florida searching for the perfect blend of culinary adventure and community impact, the Sugar and Slice Festival is calling your name. Taking place at the beautiful Esplanade Park in Fort Lauderdale, this 21+ event is a must-attend for anyone with a craving for pizza or dessert, promising to satisfy your sweet tooth and savory urges alike.

The festival features some of the best cookies in Fort Lauderdale, known for their exceptional quality and popularity among attendees.
This unique Fort Lauderdale event brings together two of life’s greatest pleasures—pizza and cookies—making it a dessert lover’s dream, all while supporting a cause that truly matters: We Care More Animal Rescue.
Introduction to the Festival
Get ready to celebrate the ultimate fusion of food, culture, and community at the Sugar and Slice Festival! This event is a paradise for anyone who loves to indulge in delicious treats, especially chewy chocolate chip cookies—a classic favorite that never goes out of style. With a vibrant lineup of vendors offering everything from traditional chocolate chip cookie recipes to inventive creations loaded with nuts, sprinkles, and other sweet mix-ins, there’s something to satisfy every craving. Whether you’re a fan of that perfect chewy bite, a lover of all things chocolate, or someone who enjoys exploring new recipes and flavors, you’ll find plenty of food to taste and enjoy. The festival is designed to bring people together over their shared love of delicious, sweet bites, so mark your calendar and prepare to discover your new favorite cookie (or two)!
A Delicious Competition Worth Tasting
The Sugar and Slice Festival isn’t just another food event. It’s an interactive culinary experience where attendees become the judges. Sample mouthwatering pizzas from Fort Lauderdale’s top pizzerias and indulge in cookies from the area’s best bakeries, then cast your vote for who deserves the crown of best pizza and best cookie in Fort Lauderdale. The festival features a wide variety of recipes, showcasing both classic and creative takes on pizza and cookies.
Whether you’re a thin-crust purist, a deep-dish devotee, or someone who believes the perfect chocolate chip cookie is worth traveling for, this festival gives you the chance to taste multiple offerings in one convenient location. Attendees can enjoy everything from soft and chewy to crunchy cookies, with some featuring crispy edges or a lightly browned surface for the perfect bite.
It’s the ultimate way to discover new favorite spots while settling the age-old debate: who really makes the best slice in town? Unlike store bought treats, the festival’s homemade offerings are all about the pursuit of perfect cookies and pizza crafted with care and attention to detail.
Live Entertainment You Won't Want to Miss
What's a festival without great music? The Sugar and Slice Festival features a live DJ spinning tracks throughout the event, creating the perfect atmosphere as you taste your way through Fort Lauderdale's best pizza and cookies. The combination of delicious food, stunning waterfront views at Esplanade Park, and energetic beats makes this an unforgettable experience you definitely don't want to miss.
Every Bite Makes a Difference
Here's what makes the Sugar and Slice Festival truly special: 100% of the proceeds benefit We Care More Animal Rescue. Every ticket purchased, every vote cast, and every moment of enjoyment directly supports the lifesaving work of this dedicated organization.
We Care More Animal Rescue works tirelessly to provide care, shelter, and forever homes for animals in need throughout the Fort Lauderdale area. Your attendance doesn't just satisfy your taste buds—it helps feed, house, and provide medical care for animals waiting for their second chance at happiness.
More Than Just Food: Get Involved with Animal Rescue
The festival isn't only about eating (though that's definitely a highlight). We Care More Animal Rescue will be activating on-site throughout the event, creating opportunities for attendees to learn about the important work they do and discover how they can make a lasting impact.
What to Expect at the We Care More Booth:
Educational Opportunities: Learn about the rescue's mission, success stories, and understand the ongoing needs in the Fort Lauderdale animal rescue community.
Ways to Get Involved: Whether you're interested in volunteering, fostering, adopting, or supporting in other ways, the rescue team will be available to discuss various opportunities to help animals in need.
Adorable Free Goodies: Who doesn't love free stuff, especially when it's cute? Stop by the We Care More booth to snag complimentary goodies that will remind you of the impact you've made long after the festival ends.
An Event for Everyone (21+)
The Sugar and Slice Festival offers something for all of your friends in this adults-only celebration:
Foodies: Discover Fort Lauderdale's hidden culinary gems, including cookies and pizza that everyone will love and vote for your favorites
Couples & Friend Groups: Enjoy a fun atmosphere with delicious options, live music, and beautiful park surroundings perfect for an adults' day out
Animal Lovers: Support a worthy cause while meeting like-minded individuals who care about animal welfare
Community Members: Connect with local businesses and organizations that make Fort Lauderdale special
The Perfect Venue: Esplanade Park
Located along Fort Lauderdale's stunning Riverwalk, Esplanade Park provides the ideal backdrop for the Sugar and Slice Festival. With its waterfront views, open spaces, and central location, this venue creates the perfect setting for an afternoon of food, music, and community celebration.
Festival Logistics
The Sugar and Slice Festival is thoughtfully organized to make your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. The festival ensures that everyone has a chance to join in the fun, no matter their schedule. As you wander through the festival grounds, you’ll find a tempting array of food vendors, each serving up their own take on cookies and pizza. The layout is designed for easy navigation, with clear signage and accessible amenities to help you make the most of your visit. So come hungry and ready to explore—there’s a world of food creations waiting for you!
Ticket Information
Tickets to the Sugar and Slice Festival are now available! General admission grants you access to all the food vendors and activities, so you can sample to your heart’s content. For those looking to elevate their experience, VIP tickets offer perks like priority entry, exclusive tastings, and access to a special VIP lounge. No matter which option you choose, you’re in for a memorable day filled with fantastic food.
Safety and Security
Your safety and comfort are top priorities at the Sugar and Slice Festival. The event features on-site security personnel and clear emergency procedures to secure and ensure everyone has an enjoyable time. Attendees are encouraged to stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes, and keep an eye on their belongings as they explore the festival. With these measures in place, you can relax and savor every bite, knowing you’re in good hands.
Support Local, Help Animals, Enjoy Amazing Food
In a world where entertainment options are endless, the Sugar and Slice Festival stands out as an event with purpose. You're not just attending another food festival—you're participating in a community movement that celebrates local businesses while directly impacting the lives of animals who need us most.
The combination of delicious pizza, decadent cookies, live DJ entertainment, friendly competition, and charitable giving creates an experience that feeds both your stomach and your soul. It's rare to find an event where indulgence and altruism go hand in hand so perfectly.
Make Your Mark on Fort Lauderdale's Food Scene
Your vote matters at the Sugar and Slice Festival. The winning establishments earn bragging rights and recognition as Fort Lauderdale's best, decided not only by judges, but by the people who matter most: the community members who actually eat there.
This democratic approach to food awards makes every attendee an important part of the event. Your palate, your opinion, and your vote help shape Fort Lauderdale's culinary reputation.
Social Media and Promotion
Stay connected and get the most out of your festival experience by following the Sugar and Slice Festival on social media. You’ll get the latest updates, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, and access to exclusive promotions and discounts just for followers. Don’t forget to share your own festival moments—snap photos of your favorite chocolate chip cookies and use the official hashtag to join the conversation. Tag the festival in your posts for a chance to be featured and connect with other foodies. Whether you’re showing off a sweet bite with friends, or just celebrating your love of animals on social media this is the perfect place to spread the sweetness and stay in the loop on all things festival-related.
The Bottom Line
The Sugar and Slice Festival offers an unbeatable combination: exceptional food from multiple vendors, the excitement of a friendly competition, live DJ entertainment, meaningful charitable impact, and the opportunity to connect with an organization making a real difference for animals in need.
Whether you’re motivated by the pizza, persuaded by the cookies, excited for the live music, or called by the cause, this Fort Lauderdale event deserves a spot on your calendar. Bring your appetite, bring your friends, and bring your passion for supporting local businesses and animal rescue to Esplanade Park for an event you won’t want to miss.
Don’t miss this chance to taste, vote, dance, and make a difference—all while enjoying some of the best pizza and cookies Fort Lauderdale has to offer. The animals of We Care More Animal Rescue are counting on community members like you to show up, indulge, and help create more happy endings for pets in need.
Ready to experience the Sugar and Slice Festival at Esplanade Park? Grab your tickets (remember, it’s 21+ only), come hungry, and prepare to be part of something delicious and meaningful in the Fort Lauderdale community. This is one event you definitely don’t want to miss!




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