The Village of Berrien Springs, the Berrien County Historical Association (BCHA), and the Berrien Springs Community Library invite you to the 4th Annual Pickle Festival on Thursday, July 4th and its auxiliary events in June.
Continuing to grow in popularity, the Pickle Festival pre-event auxiliary activities kick off with the Pickle Fest Preview Weekend and the coronation ceremony for the 2024 Pickle Festival Royalty at The History Center at Courthouse Square on Saturday, June 15th at 6:00 p.m. where a new Grand Dillmeister, Princess, and Prince will be crowned. Princess & Prince registration opens May 1st and will be available on the Berrien County Historical Association’s website berrienhistory.org. For more information about the pageant, including contestant requirements, please email Rhiannon Cizon at rcizon@berrienhistory.org.
Two-time winner Winston Nwoke will officially turn over the title for 2024 to a new Grand Dillmeister. Nominations open May 5th nominees must be residents of Berrien Springs, Berrien Center, or Oronoko Township. To nominate an individual email Kelly Ewalt at kelly@villageofberriensprings.com. Voting will take place in June on the official Berrien Springs Pickle Festival Facebook page (facebook.com/BerrienSpringsPickleFestival).
On Sunday, June 16, runners, walkers, and joggers will enjoy the beauty of the Andrews University campus as they head to the finish line for the return of the In a Pickle 5K Run and Walk. Early bird registration is now open at runsignup.com. All registrations receive a t-shirt and a finisher’s medal. Questions regarding the 5K should be directed to Kelly Ewalt at the Berrien Springs Village Hall. Early bird pricing ends on May 11th and pre-registration ends on June 14th. Day of registration will be available. Registration can be found directly at: www.runsignup.com/Race/MI/BerrienSprings/InaPickle5K.
Leading up to the 4th Annual Festival will be the popular Pickle Fest Scavenger Hunt June 24 – 30th. All week, pickle fans are invited to visit participating businesses to search for a series of hidden Dillard’s, the official Pickle Festival mascot. Participants can pick up their scavenger hunt sheet at the Berrien Springs Village Hall, the History Center at Courthouse Square, and the Berrien Springs Community Library starting June 20th. Completed forms must be returned to any of those three locations by 4:00 p.m. Monday, July 1st. All completed and correct forms will be entered to win a special Pickle Festival prize and will be announced during the Pickle Festival.
The 4th Annual Pickle Festival will once again be held at the History Center at Courthouse Square and the Berrien Springs Community Library in Berrien Springs on July 4th. Due to the increased in popularity of the Festival, the committee has extended the hours to 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Back by popular demand, guests will see the return of Vendor Alley, the Pickle Fling, the Big Wheel races, old fashioned pickle games, the pickle decorating contest, the Pickled Piper Tasting Room, the Flamm Pickle & Packing Company Relish Eating Contest, and the dunk tank with proceeds going to the Jordan Parsons Memorial Scholarship.
The Pickle Festival committee continues to look for sponsors and vendors for the event. Crafts, pickle products and artisan vendors are all welcome to apply. Interested parties should reach out to Kelly Ewalt at the Village of Berrien Springs.B
For additional details, including an updated schedule of events visit the Berrien Springs Pickle Festival’s Facebook page (@BerrienSpringsPickleFestival) and the BCHA website (berrienhistory.org).
