Mashpee's first Pickle Palooza is Sunday, with pickle popcorn, cocktails, pizza and more

“Pickle Palooza 2024: A Dill-icious Celebration!” is a chance to dress as a pickle and run your fastest in a pickle relay race as part of a first pickle-themed celebration in Mashpee .

The tangy new tradition is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Mashpee Farmers Market at Naukabout Beer Garden at 4 Job’s Fishing Road in Mashpee Commons.

“It’s just going to be a fun community event. We have games for the children, we have music, we even have a pickle seltzer Naukabout is making with our brine, and the Hawaiian ice lady is bringing a dill pickle ice,” said Amina Smaykiewicz, owner of Cape Cod Pickle Co.

Smaykiewicz said the fledgling company doesn’t usually give out samples when it sells at farmers markets, but will make an exception for the Pickle Palooza.

“If you’re not sure what you like, this is the day to get down there to get the free samples and decide,” said Smaykiewicz, whose husband, Chris Kaczmarek, has been making pickles for family and friends for 20 years.

Cape Cod Pickle Co. makes a half-dozen varieties, including the half-sours that are part of the couple’s Polish heritage. Amina, who is also Russian, contributed a recipe for beets that are roasted and then pickled in apple cider vinegar.

All of the goods are made at the Cape Cod Culinary Incubator in Hyannis. They are refrigerated, rather than canned, to keep them extra crunchy, Smaykiewicz said, and sold at $8 for eight ounces or $15 for 16 ounces.

Mashpee Farmers Market director Stephanie Viva said the market, which draws 30 to 60 vendors each Sunday, is always looking for new ways ― and encourages suggestions on how ― to engage people in healthful eating. She points to POP, or Power of Produce, a joint venture with the Mashpee Chamber of Commerce which gives kids a token to spend each week on a fruit or vegetable they haven't yet tried.

What will you find at Pickle Palooza in Mashpee?

The event is free but registration at Eventbrite.com will save you a seat.

Let’s unpack some of the things that will be happening at Pickle Palooza:

Pickle champion: Amateur pickle makers are invited to enter their pickles into a competition judged by the professionals for a chance at prizes and the top honor of being named “Pickle Champion.”

Pickle-themed crafts: Attendees of all ages can paint pickle-shaped pottery or pickle-inspired paintings.

Pickle parade: Wear your best pickle costume or even build a pickle-inspired float to join the “fun and quirky procession.” Prizes awarded for creativity.

Pickle toss: How is your aim? This carnival-style game asks participants to toss small pickles into jars or buckets.

Pickle relay race: Pass the pickle, quickly. Bring friends and family to form a team whose members will compete in a relay by passing a pickle baton.

Pickle on a string: Try this “hilarious game where you attempt to catch a dangling pickle with your mouth; no hands allowed!”

Pickle-inspired eats: Food vendors will provide pickle pizza, pickle-flavored popcorn, crispy fried pickles and more. For those 21 and older, there will be pickle-inspired cocktails from Naukabout Beer Garden.

Pickled-inspired marketplace: Vendors will sell a wide range of pickle-themed products, from t-shirts and hats to pickle-scented candles and soaps.

“Whether you’re a seasoned pickle lover or just curious about this tangy treat, there’s something for everyone at this family-friendly event,” organizers write.

Oh, and while you are at Pickle Palooza!, you may want to wish newlyweds Amina and Chris a happy first anniversary: They met during COVID-19 and got married in September 2023.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Mashpee's first Pickle Palooza is Sunday, with pickle popcorn, cocktails, pizza and more