Celebrate pickles, compete in a pickle-eating contest, or dress up your dog for the first ever Pickle Pup Pageant this Saturday during the 7th annual Pickle Fest downtown.
“Cleveland Pickle Fest is more than a celebration of pickles, it’s a celebration of people,” said Stefanie Merkosky, development director for Greater Cleveland Volunteers, which organizes the annual festival.
The event is the organization’s way to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism.
Greater Cleveland Volunteers partners with nonprofit agencies in Cuyahoga County that need volunteers. Proceeds from the event support the organization’s volunteer programs, including literacy tutoring and phone friends for the elderly.
“At the heart of it all are our volunteers, who we like to say are a ‘big dill,’” Merkosky said.
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What to expect at Pickle Fest
Hoppy Dude Brews from Hinckley will be back at Pickle Fest with their “gose” beers. Gose is a sour wheat beer originating from Germany infused with pickles and other flavors.
“We will have Tickle My Pickle Dill Gose, and also our Spicy Dill Gose,” said Keith Clapper of Hoppy Dude.
They’ll also have hard sweet teas in pear and peach flavors for non-beer drinkers and those who are gluten-free.
Kyle Lynch of Mr. Crisp Pickle Co. said he will have nine different flavors of pickles, pickled vegetables, and three kinds of pickle-flavored popcorn available for sale at the event.
Mr. Crisp Pickle Co. has collaborated with Cleveland Ketchup Co. to create pickles flavored with bold Yellow Mustard and Mr. Crisp’s signature house brine. They’ll also have flavors like roasted garlic and rosemary, bread and butter, and pineapple jalapeño sweet pickles.
Popcorn flavors include honey dill and salt and vinegar dill. “Whether you’re after a tangy snack or a jar of bold flavor, we’ve got you covered,” said Lynch.
The Crazy Cucumber has been part of Cleveland Pickle Fest since Year One, said owner Katie Varga. “This year we’re bringing 20 bold flavors, including fan-favorite ‘Sweet Heat.’ [We’re also] proudly sponsoring the pickle-eating contest.”
Cleveland Pickle Fest takes over Mall C on Lakeside Avenue in downtown Cleveland Saturday, Sept. 20, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. General admission is $10; kids 5 and under get in free.