America’s favorite pickle party is returning to Downtown.
After spending all of 2020 in the jar, the giant pickle is ready to come out and fly. The 35-foot Heinz balloon will float over Picklesburgh, an event that popped up in 2015 and became a surprise hit, even taking a USA Today poll for the Best Specialty Food Festival in America.
Produced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, it returns for a sixth year in the new location of the Andy Warhol Bridge, allowing it to pickle along Fort Duquesne Boulevard.
“It’s an authentic part of the local fabric,” the PDP’s Russell Howard says, “starting with the giant homage to the pickle pin, which reflects our history with Heinz. It’s a celebration of our bridges and waterfront. Quirky, creative. From the same town that gave us Primanti sandwiches and Franki Capri.”
Where else can you get pickled cotton candy? (And why would you even want it? Just kidding.)
Such vendors as Atria’s, BRGR, DiAnoia’s, Meat and Potatoes, Butcher and the Rye, Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, and Pittsburgh Pickle Co. will serve culinary creations like bacon-wrapped and cheese stuffed pickles, kimchi grilled cheese, peanut butter pickle swirl fudge, dill pickle pierogies and dill pickle lemonade.
On the drink menu will be pickle beer, craft brews, sangria and such creative cocktails as Pickle Paloma, PickleBerry Mule, Vodka Cucumber Refreshers and Pickle Rita.
Also on the drink menu is the juice of the pickle for those brave souls entering the Pickle Juice Drinking Contest, hosted by the YaJagoff! Podcast. Pickle chuggers will compete for the grand prize of $500 from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by the championship at 2 p.m. Sunday.
New this year are two stages for music: the First National Bank Main Stage on Fort Duquesne Boulevard with marquee bands like Donora, Miss Freddye, KELS, Byron Nash and Buckle Downs, and a smaller spotlight stage at the north end of the Warhol Bridge.
Guests can shop for festival merchandise including T-shirts, caps, backpacks and balloons, but not the big one.
The PDP recommends attendees be fully vaccinated. If not, a mask will be required.
Picklesburgh, in its sixth year, is free and runs from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. The primary entrance is located at Seventh Street and Fort Duquesne Boulevard. All prepared foods and happy hour artisan cocktails will be located along Fort Duquesne Boulevard between Stanwix and Ninth streets.
First National Bank Main Stage Fort Duquesne and Eighth Street Friday
Noon-1 p.m.: Elias Khouri (rock) 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Mani Bahia and the Mob (R&B/hip-hop)
3-4 p.m.: The Bleil Brothers (jazz fusion) 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Snowdonia (alt-rock)
6-7 p.m.: Nox Boys (garage-rock) 7:30-8:30 p.m.: Miss Freddye (blues) 9-10 p.m.: Isaiah Small (R&B/hip-hop) Saturday
Noon-1:30 p.m.: Rich Zabinski (jazz) 2-3:30 p.m.: Pierce Dipner (rock)
4-5 p.m.: Donora (pop)
5:30-7 p.m.: Joziah Council (R&B/hiphop)
7:30-8:30 p.m.: Najj Andrea (R&B)
9-10 p.m.: KELS (pop)
Sunday
Noon-1 p.m.: Soulful Femme (blues) 1:30-3 p.m.: Byron Nash (rock) 3:30-4:30 p.m.: William Matheny (country)
5-6 p.m.: The Buckle Downs (soul)
Showcase Stage on the Bridge
Located on the North Shore end of the Andy Warhol (Seventh Street) Bridge
Saturday
Noon-2 p.m.: Chillhouse (rock) 2:30-4:30 p.m.: Kea Michaels (soul/jazz) 5-7 p.m.: Super Midnight (soul/funk) 7:30-9:30 p.m.: Zen Strings (country) Sunday
Located on the North Shore end of the Andy Warhol (Seventh Street) Bridge, past the giant pickle!
Noon-1:30 p.m. Mean Blue Planets (soul/ funk/rock)
2-3:30 p.m.: Right Turn Clyde (rock)
4-6 p.m.: Slam Band & Sam (funk/jazz)