Pickle Bobbing and More at Asheville’s Quirky Annual Pickle Festival
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — With a zest for pickles and an appetite for fun, the city of Asheville recently celebrated its second annual pickle festival. The peculiar event, hosted by the famed local craft-beer collective, The Whale, saw an extraordinary turnout with activities and offerings promising everything pickle-related under the sun.
In The Spirit Of Fermentation
Celebrating the humble pickle might seem odd to some, but for Asheville’s renowned craft-beer collective, The Whale, it feels just right. The group, after all, harbors a deep respect for all things fermented. “Everything we do with beer, wine, and everything in between is a fermented product. So, it was only natural that we’d get together and celebrate our favorite fermented item, the pickle,” shared Andrew Ross, the owner of The Whale.
A Pickle Lovers Paradise
The festival provided attendees the unique opportunity to indulge in an impressive variety of pickles from numerous local vendors. Featured at the event were the much-acclaimed DJs Pickles and Silas Sauce, amongst several others. But the festival was not just about edible delights – also present were vendors offering pickle-themed merchandise, such as Creationivity, who introduced pickle-themed jewelry for attendees to choose from.
The Thrill Of Pickle Games
Adding a dash of competition to the festivities were unusual yet intriguing games, such as pickle bobbing and pickle on a rope. Spectators cheered and roared as brave participants plunged into tubs of water attempting to secure pickles with just their mouths in a classic bobbing contest. In another part of the festival, participants had to chomp their way to victory as they dangled on ropes eyeing victory in the pickle on a rope challenge. The headliner was, of course, the pickle eating contest, a battle of wills as devoted pickle lovers faced off to prove their mettle in quick pickle consumption.
A Pickle Tradition in the Making
The festivities this year were only the second of an emerging tradition that organizers are excited to continue. The contagiously joyful vibe that filled the air as attendees reveled in all things pickle has them already looking forward to what next year might bring. If the turnout this year is anything to go by, Asheville is all set for growth as the city cements itself as the nation’s go-to destination for pickle appreciation fun.
