Sliders, lemonade and live music for a good cause? It’s all on tap as the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF) hosts its 11th annual Slider Throwdown, which will take place at High Street in North Phoenix on Sunday, November 14 from noon to 3 p.m.
Susie Timm, the PR director and event producer of the Slider Throwdown, says, “It gives you time to do sports with your kids in the morning, if they have Sunday games, then come out and have some sliders and all of it benefits kids in foster care.”
Formerly the Foodie Fair for Foster Care, the Slider Throwdown is celebrating its 11th year in 2021. In addition to fun fare and friendly competition, the event also raises awareness and funds for youth in foster care. AFFCF empowers foster children through lessons, activities and rewards programs. The foundation granted more than $1.2 million to these children amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“[The Slider Throwdown] is really our way to introduce strangers to what the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation is and how they help foster kids,” Timm says. “They try to give the most ‘normal’ experience to the kid as possible.”
The Slider Throwdown is a competition-based event that will host many different food trucks in 2021, including the defending Slider Throwdown champion, Aioli Burger, with other appearances from Chicken and Waffles For the People, 2 Fat Guys Grilled Cheese, Kingpin BBQ, Randizzle’s and El Taco Santo. Beverages and dessert will also be available from trucks such as Cutie’s Lemonade and Kicks Frozen Yogurt.
Admission to the event is $40, which includes a coupon book offering slider samples from each participating food truck. Attendees can vote for their favorite burger, which will win the People’s Choice award. A double-blind taste test will also take place, allowing a panel of judges to choose the ultimate champion.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic was a factor in last year’s Slider Throwdown, Timm has learned from the past years’ experience. They were able to hold the event last year and manage attendance to keep attendees safe through a spread-out crowd. They switched locations from Kierland Commons in Scottsdale to High Street in North Phoenix to reach a larger audience and gain more space. The event also boasts quick wait times by managing attendance to 300 to 500 people over the course of the three-hour event.
“I think it will be a pretty darn fun, family-friendly experience on a Sunday,” Timm says.
