Picklesburgh 2022 guide: Here’s what we’re excited about this year
This article first appeared at NEXTpittsburgh.com, a media partner of Kidsburgh. Sign up here for NEXTpittsburgh’s free newsletter filled with all the latest news about the people driving change in our city and the innovative and cool things happening here. Photo above by Renee Rosensteel courtesy of Taste of Picklesburgh.
July brings all things pickle to Pittsburgh: Picklesburgh 2022 runs July 15-17 on the Rachel Carson (9th Street) Bridge and riverside on the 10th Street bypass.
Picklesburgh is every foodie’s culinary dream. In fact, USA Today twice named it the Best Specialty Food Festival in the country. The weekend, sponsored by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Kraft Heinz (Pittsburgh’s pickle brand), will be full of pickle-themed food, cocktails, merchandise and live music on two stages.
Here’s what to look forward to at Picklesburgh:
Taste of Picklesburgh preview
Fifteen Downtown restaurants will offer samples of pickle-related cuisine and drinks from July 8-14.
Each purchase gets you a famous Heinz pickle pin. Look forward to pickle pizza, pickle stuffed pierogies, pickle cocktails and much more. Some restaurants will even serve Southern Tier’s limited edition pickle beer. The lineup of participating restaurants includes Bae Bae’s Kitchen, Con Alma, Sly Fox, The Speckled Egg, Sienna Mercato and many others.
Pickle paradise at the Market Square Farmers Market
If you’re looking to stock up on your favorite pickle or pickled items ahead of the festival, head to the Market Square Farmers Market on Thursday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jak’s Bakery will have their pickle pizza up for grabs, while other vendors including Cherish Creamery, Copper Coast Confections, Gosia’s Pierogies, Keystone Culture’s Co., KizzleFoods, The Olive Tap, and The Brinery at Two Acre Farm will preview their pickle products. Vendors will also have Heinz pickle pins to pass out while supplies last.
Pickles & Giggles Comedy Showcase
In case a pickle-themed festival wasn’t silly enough, the National Comedy Center, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Arcade Comedy Theater have added another layer of fun this year— the Pickles & Giggles Comedy Showcase happening at Byham Theater on Thursday, July 14, at 8 p.m.
John Chamberlin and Rachael Rennebeck from YaJagoff! will host the live show featuring four rising comedy acts: “America’s Got Talent” semi-finalist Jackie Fabulous, Sammy Obeid, host of Netflix’s “100 Humans,” late-night comedian Rojo Perez and podcaster/comic Steven Rogers.
Opening sets will showcase three of the Burgh’s funniest local comedians, programmed by Arcade Comedy Theater, including Samantha Bentley, Collin Chamberlain and Chrissy Costa.
Tickets are on sale now from $20-$60. Admission includes $10 “Dollar Dills” to spend at Picklesburgh plus 50% off admission to the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York.
Arcade Comedy Theater will also host stand-up and improv shows on July 15 and 16 during the Picklesburgh festivities.
Pickle Juice Drinking Contest
Who doesn’t want to chug a nice, cold jar of pickle juice on a hot summer’s day? Preliminary rounds for the contest hosted by Pittsburgh Pickle Co. and YaJagoff! are on Friday, July 15, and Saturday, July 16. The championship takes place on Sunday, July 17. What’s the prize? $500 and the title Mayor of Picklesburgh.
Online pre-registration is full, but walk-up entries may open up if space is available on the days of the festival. There will be a raffle drawing 15 minutes before each round. Sign up for the raffle on-site at the YaJagoff! Media Tent at Picklesburgh.
