PITTSBURGH — Picklesburgh is back, and it’s going to be a pretty big dill.
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership said this year’s festival will be set in a new location and incorporate more “Pittsburgh” in food offerings.
The event, which only takes place in Pittsburgh, has been named the No. 1 Best Specialty Food Festival in America three times.
“Every year Picklesburgh grows, and we’re excited to introduce the new expanded footprint that really improves the overall experience for attendees. We listened to the feedback from our dill-devotees, and wanted to ensure that everyone can enjoy perusing pickled products, dill-icious food, live local music, all while relishing in the energy of this event,” said Jeremy Waldrup, PDP’s President and CEO. “Plus, there will be more pickle-passionate purveyors than ever before, which means more gherkin glee to go around. Picklesburgh has something for everyone!”
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning on heading downtown for the festival:
When & Where
- Friday, July 21, and Saturday, July 22, from noon to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, July 23 from noon to 6 p.m.
This year, it will be on the Boulevard of the Allies, from Stanwix Street to Smithfield Street.
Advanced reserved parking is available here. There is also bargain parking available for $6 after 4 p.m. on Friday and all weekend long at the First Avenue garage.
A full list of detours and closures is available here.
Food and drinks
Pickle-themed cuisine in 2023 will be on a new level, with more “Pittsburgh” inspiration behind a couple of dishes, including a PGH Roll, stuffed with Heinz pickles and Islay’s chipped ham. Turner’s Dairy is also offering a limited-edition pickle iced tea.
Other offerings include pickle lemonades, crispy pickled cheddar wings, pickled popcorn, pickle kimchi, and pickle pizza.
Be sure to stick around for happy hour, when specialty cocktails will start being offered! This begins at 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and lasts all day Sunday.
Click here for a full list of vendors.
Music
There will be two performance venues: the Stanwix Street Stage and the Smithfield Street Stage.
The stages will be programmed throughout the festival with a lineup of different artists, including: Sierra Sellers, Nash.V.Ill, Big Blitz, Justin Fabus, Miss Freddye’s Blues Band and Pickup Line.
For a full entertainment schedule, click here.
For the kids
For some creative pickle-themed arts & crafts, “Li’l Gherkins Kidsplay” will be open until 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and all day on Sunday. There will be free coloring pages, and kids will be able to decorate their own pickle necklace or puppet to take home.
Pickle Juice Drinking Contest
Pucker up! The Pickle Juice Drinking Contest runs all three days of the festival. The winner will take home $500 in grand prize money and will be crowned the new Mayor of Picklesburgh.
Registration is closed, but all are welcome to watch the different rounds of competition.
What to do before Friday
If you just can’t wait to get your Picklesburgh on, “Taste of Picklesburgh” will be offered at select participating restaurants throughout the week.
Participating restaurants will offer pickle-inspired dishes ahead of the festival.
For more details, click here.
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