North Carolina Pickle Festival returns for 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9, 2022

MOUNT OLIVE, NC—Pickle lovers, get ready: the North Carolina Pickle Festival returns to a live, in-person event for 2022.

The festival kicks off Friday, April 22 from 6-9 p.m., with the main day on Saturday, April 23 in downtown Mount Olive.

Like most public events, the 2020 festival, which would have coincided with the Town of Mount Olive’s 150th anniversary, was canceled because of the COVID 19 pandemic. For 2021, organizers held a handful of virtual and limited local events, including a virtual pickle-eating contest.

“We are dill-lighted to be back for 2022,” said Julie Beck, festival co-chairman. “It feels good to be planning a live event for April again.”

For now, the festival is currently seeking vendors and sponsors. The deadline for both is April 1, 2022.

“We encourage potential vendors to apply early,” Ms. Beck said, “even if you have been a vendor at the festival for years. After a two-year break, we think the festival landscape has changed, but we won’t know how much until we see the actual applications.”

Other festival-related events, including the Tour de Pickle bike ride and the Cuke Patch 5K Glow Run, are also in the planning. Those applications should be available online in the next few weeks.

“We encourage folks to check our website for updates as we move closer to the festival,” Ms. Beck said. “We have a lot of pieces to confirm in the next few months.”

The award-winning North Carolina Pickle Festival marks its 36th year in 2022. Learn more about the festival at www.ncpicklefest.org.