‘We’re a pretty big dill’: St. Joe’s Pickle Fest

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – St. Joe’s 28th Pickle Fest is back in “ Pickle Town ” for more food and fun surrounding the locals’ favorite snack.

In a town less than 500 people, co-president of Pickle Fest Christine Weirauch said Sechler’s Fine Pickles factory location in St. Joe makes a big impact on the small community.

“Chances are, if you grew up here or lived [in St. Joe] through your life, you probably worked [at the factory],” Weirauch said. “Sechler’s is a staple for St. Joe, and they are the inspiration for our Pickle Fest.”

This festival features many foods with a not-so-secret ingredient, including fair classics such as fried pickles and newer like pickle ice cream.

St. Joe’s Pickle Fest also includes a new pickle juice drinking contest and a Pickle Eating Contest. Participants have 10 minutes to eat 20 pickles, although Weirauch said last year’s winners still had nine pickles on their plate.

Pickle Fest also offers a pickle-free pizza eating contest as well as face painting, live music and a bounce house among other activities.

St. Joe’s Pickle Fest starts at 4 p.m. at Riverdale Elementary School. For more information on the festival, go to the Pickle Fest website .

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