MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — The 40th Annual North Carolina Pickle Festival is less than one week away, and organizers say this year’s celebration will be bigger than ever with a brand-new drone show, hundreds of vendors, live entertainment, and plenty of pickle-themed fun.
Festival leaders say festivities begin Friday night, April 24, with pay-one-price carnival rides from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the University of Mount Olive, followed by one of the most anticipated new attractions — a 15-minute drone show featuring 300 drones lighting up the sky.
Organizers say the show will feature pickle-themed designs and synchronized music as part of the festival’s 40th anniversary celebration.
“This is something new and exciting for our 40th year,” Mt. Olive Chamber President Julie Beck said. “It’s going to be amazing to see 300 drones creating pickles and other designs in the sky.”
Attendees are encouraged to park between Breazeale Avenue and Center Street and face toward the University of Mount Olive campus for the best viewing experience.
Saturday’s main festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Mount Olive, featuring a full day of activities, entertainment, and pickle-inspired foods.
The popular Tour de Pickle cycling event returns Saturday morning, with approximately 200 riders expected to participate. This year’s routes include 29-mile and 63-mile rides, drawing cyclists from across the region.
Festivalgoers can also expect:
• About 200 vendors including food, arts, crafts, and commercial exhibitors
• Pickle-themed foods such as pickle pizza, pickle donuts, pickle pretzels, pickle slushies, pickle fudge, pickle margaritas, pickle lemonade and more
• Three stages of live entertainment throughout the day
• The annual pickle eating contest at noon, which drew more than 220 applicants for just 20 spots
• Children’s area featuring pony rides, camel rides, inflatables, petting zoo, puppet shows, and the popular pickle train
• Classic tractor show
• Pickle merchandise including hats, shirts, and novelty items
• Free pickle samples and new banana pepper samples at Mount Olive booths
Organizers also announced a new dill pickle taffy debuting this year, along with special decorations including a giant inflatable cake to celebrate the festival’s 40th anniversary.
Festival officials say the event continues to grow each year and offers something for everyone — even those who may not be pickle fans.
“We wanted to go all out for the 40th anniversary,” Beck said. “It’s going to be a pickle party for everyone.”
More information about the festival is available at ncpicklefest.org.
