The International Pickle Festival, which takes place at the Rosendale Community Center, celebrates more than the humble cucumber. Featuring pickled vegetables of all types, other eats and pickle-themed activities, the Pickle Festival draws more than 5,000 visitors each year. Taking place each year in mid-November, the Festival's intention is to introduce guests to international pickled edibles and pickling techniques, as well as letting them have a bit of pickle-related fun in the process.
The Pickles
- Vendors come to Rosendale from all over the United States to be awarded ribbons for the best of different pickle varieties. Pickles with unusual combinations, like wasabi dill, abound, as do other pickled vegetables, including beets, carrots, green beans and okra. Visitors can taste-test their favorite varieties of the preserved vegetables, which are prepared in small slices for sampling. Other fermented specialties include deep-fried pickles, sauerkraut and kimchi.
Other Edibles
- Festival booths offer more than fermented vegetables. Vendors sell Polish sausages, Jamaican curries, various dried vegetables and hot sauce, among other foods. If you need to clear your palate from the pickles' strong flavors, local bakeries bring Bavarian-style soft pretzels, cheesecake or Belgian waffles that you can top with milk chocolate or sprinkles for purchase. Keeping with the international theme of the festival, you can also taste sushi, corned beef and cabbage, maple syrup and sauerbraten.
Activities
- The festival offers up plenty of pickle-related activities, including three pickle contests. Competitive pickle lovers can participate in pickle eating or pickle juice drinking competitions, while the pickle toss competitors win by throwing the most pickles into a partner's mouth. Eccentric pickle lovers can take pictures with a man dressed in a pickle suit, while more conventional festival-goers can listen to live music, including a roaming accordionist, and watch traditional Japanese and German dancers.
Details
- The day-long festival lasts from early morning to mid-afternoon and offers free admission for all of the festivities. Portions of the festival's proceeds benefit local charities, including the Rosendale Youth Center, a food pantry and the local women's club Spring Clean Sweep projects. If you're interested in entering your pickled product into the judging for a ribbon, you'll have to submit an entry form early on the day of the festival.
