Micah Crogan, 13, left and Leslie Crogan of Youngstown enjoy pizza at the Slice of the Valley fundraiser Sunday at the Metroplex in Liberty.

LIBERTY — Thousands of people put their taste buds to work sampling pizza from a variety of local businesses in Trumbull and Mahoning counties while helping to raise money to benefit charities and organizations helped by the Warren Rotary Club.

Teri Surin, president of the Warren Rotary, said 3,000 people were expected for the sixth annual three-hour Slice of the Valley fundraiser held Sunday at the Metroplex.

She said each year the event, which raises approximately $45,000 annually, generates funds to benefit local organizations, with this year’s recipients being the Children’s Rehabilitation Center, Trumbull Mobile Meals and Never Muzzled dog rescue organization.

“Everyone likes pizza, and this has been a very popular event. Every year we pick different organizations and charities we want to help. All year long we raise money and give back to the community. We provide grants to people and organizations,” Surin said.

She said the success of the event is it is family oriented, held on a Sunday afternoon and offers pizza — which people of all ages like.

“This location is on the border of Trumbull and Mahoning counties, which brings people from all over the area,” Surin said.

Ken LaPolla, event co-chair, said people tell him they enjoy trying different types of pizza.

“The event has grown each year so we had to find a larger location like the MetroPlex,” said LaPolla, noting the first year was held at the Expo Center at Eastwood Mall.

He said for $10, a person could get three slices of pizza of their choice from any of the 15 participating pizza businesses. The public could also vote for their favorite pizza.

Fourteen celebrity judges, including Tribune Chronicle / Vindicator entertainment writer Andy Gray, retired professional boxer Ray “Boom Boom Mancini” and actor Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster on “The Munsters” television show, judged the specialty pizza categories.

WKBN news anchor Stan Boney said he was looking for pizza with a traditional taste, crispy crust and sauce that was not too spicy.

“Every one of the judges likes something different. Some like the sauce real spicy and others don’t,” he said.

Surin said the judges always are stepping up to help the Rotary with this event.

Anthony Cafaro, local businessman and Warren Rotary Club member, said, “This is absolutely one of the best fundraisers around. What makes it so successful is all the pizzas are so good that you can sample. You can try what you like and can make your own judgment. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

He said it is amazing to have so many pizza businesses together under one roof.

Iris Finch with the Sunrise Inn in Warren said the Greek and white pizza was so popular it ran out.

“People really enjoyed the pizza we brought,” she said.

One of the people sampling the pizza was Antoinette Johnson of Orlando, Fla., who said she came back to the area for the event.

“There is really great pizza. I loved the Uptown Pizza,” Johnson said.

Joe Sullivan, a Warren Rotary Club member, said he had a bird’s-eye view of the event being a chef on stilts walking around at the event.

Ezra Crogan, 7, of Youngstown, was with his family sampling the pizza.

His mother, Leslie Crogan, said the family wanted to try the desserts from the Mocha House, which has locations in Warren, Youngstown and Boardman.

The winners

Winners at the sixth annual Slice of the Valley fundraiser for Warren Rotary Club are:

• Plain Pizza

1. Belleria

2. Pirmanti Bros.

3. Salvatores

• Specialty Pizza

1. Ianazones

2. Uptown

3. Leo’s

• Best Sauce and Crust Pizza

Sunrise

• Most Unusual Pizza

Crabby Bob’s Crab Company

• Best Looking Pizza

Amen Corner

• Best Variety Pizza

Gionino’s

• Best Beer

Birdfish Brewing

• People’s Choice Pizza

1. Ianazone’s

2. Cocca’s

3. Crabby Bob’s Crab Company

• Beer People’s Choice

1. Penguin City

2. Modern Methods

3. Birdfish