Plans are already underway for the next Berrien Springs Pickle Festival. Village community coordinator Kelly Ewalt tells us the Pickle Festival was held back in the 1990s, but sort of fizzled out after reaching its peak. The village decided to bring it back in 2021, and it’s been well received.
“We’ve actually been pretty overwhelmed with the response for something that we thought we’d give a shot back in 2021,” Ewalt said. “We’re looking at our third year now, and it just keeps growing every year.”
Ewalt says the festival will be held July 4 this year with some associated events in the weeks prior. That’s as more things are added to match the demand.
“Last year we added our royalty pageant, and that’s going to be on June 17. We’ll have our In a Pickle 5K, which is a great 5K race through Andrews University. We’re also working on a pickle ball tournament with the public schools here on June 25.”
Ewalt says the festival day will feature the Pickle Fling, Big Wheel races, old fashioned pickle games, a pickle decorating contest, and the Pickled Piper Tasting Room. Yes, you can try all kinds of pickle foods. Ewalt hopes everyone makes Berrien Springs part of their Fourth of July plans this year, noting around 3,000 came out last year. That’s because the Pickle Festival is a big dill. You can follow the event’s progress at its Facebook page.
