Plenty of people want to get into a pickle at the fifth annual Akron Pickle Fest, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 9 at Lock 3 in downtown Akron.
At this pickle extravaganza, folks can eat pickles galore and take part in “ridiculous pickle competitions” in the Pickle-lympics, according to organizers. Everybody’s really revved up for all things pickle this year, considering the festival’s Akron Pickle 5K has sold out with 450 runners.
Proceeds from the race benefit Akron Promise, which provides scholarships and student support for Akron Public Schools students. The race starts at 9 a.m. at Lock 3, 200 S. Main St.
New for this year’s festival is the Akron Pickle Path for charity from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the adjacent Lock 4 area. For $10, guests can eat pickle samples from each of eight local charities and cast their vote for best pickle. Proceeds from ticket sales will be shared equally among the charities.
Participating charities are Riggi Rescue, Let’s Grow Akron Inc., Community AIDS Network/Akron Pride Initiative, Harmony Grows Garden, Akron Cooperative Farms, Akron Promise, South Street Ministries and Project Learn of Summit County.
The Akron Pickle-lympics will take place on or in front of the Lock 3 stage from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They include pickle-on-a-string eating at 11 a.m., a pickle-eating contest at 12:30 p.m., pickle brine stein holding at 1:30 p.m. and a greased pickle toss at 3 p.m. Other games will include bobbing for pickles and fishing for pickles.
Another cool opportunity is the DIY pickle packing party, where the festival will provide cucumbers and other vegetables for participants to stuff in a jar, spice up and brine before bedazzling the pickle jar lid.
The band Massive Hot Dog Recall also will perform at 3:30 p.m.
Amid all the pickle fun, 23 food trucks will be offering good eats, with each required to offer a pickled item. In addition, 72 vendors will offer their wares.
Akron Pickle Fest is co-produced by Stray Dog and Oddmall. For more information, see oddmall.info/akron-pickle-fest.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Pickle lovers unite! Time to pucker up at downtown Akron festival
Reporting by Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
