New MS Coast festival celebrates pickles and pickle lovers. Here’s when, where, what to expect
Four Mississippi Coast small business owners are bringing a new pickle-themed festival to the area.
The first annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Pickle Fest takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, according to the festival’s official Facebook event page.
“If you’re obsessed with pickles, this event is kind of a big dill,” organizers said on Facebook.
Here’s what to know about the new festival in South Mississippi.
What is MS Gulf Coast Pickle Fest?
Pickle Fest is a one-day family-friendly event featuring pickle-themed food, drinks and activities, organizers said.
“This is not your typical market or festival. We made it a requirement that every vendor offer a pickle-themed item, special, or experience,” Mary Grant, an event organizer, owner of Mary’s Freeze Dried Snacks and founder of What’s Up MS Gulf Coast — a social media platform highlighting local businesses, events and entrepreneurs — told McClatchy News in a June 2 email.
Alongside vendors, the event will also have a live DJ, themed family-friendly activities and a book-mobile with a special selection of pickle-themed books and stories, Grant said.
Festival attendees can expect anything from pickle-flavored drinks, food and desserts to pickle-themed jewelry, clothing, candles and other homemade products. Plus, eight registered vendors will be selling solely pickle products, according to Grant.
“Many of the food, drinks and specialty items being offered were created specifically for this event and will only be available on June 13,” she said.
These are some of the vendors that will be attending, according to Facebook:
- Mann’s Gourmet Popcorn
- The Grumpy Man Goods
- Can it with Janet
- Bishops Dream
- Mary’s Freeze Dried Snax
- Natural Fictions
- Twizted Treatz
- Positive Energy
- Micks’d Up Kitchen
- Aprons & Things
- Mississippi Mud’s Cakes
- Papa’s Peanuts
How did Pickle Fest begin?
Inspired by a festival in Alabama, Pickle Fest began with a conversation between four local business owners, including Papa’s Peanuts, Mississippi Mud’s Cakes, Positive Energy and Mary’s Freeze Dried Snacks, Grant said.
The organizers are regular participants in markets, festivals and events throughout the Gulf Coast, she said.
The goal is that the festival would benefit local, small businesses and bring the community together, according to Grant.
“We believe the Mississippi Gulf Coast has incredible talent, creativity, and flavor, and this is a celebration of that,” she said.
Where is the festival happening?
Pickle Fest will be located at the Jackson County Fairgrounds at 2902 Shortcut Road in Pascagoula.
How much is admission?
Parking and admission to the festival is free, organizers said.
“At its heart, the MS Gulf Coast Pickle Fest is about community, creativity, and giving local businesses a platform to succeed while creating a fun and memorable experience for everyone who attends,” Grant said.
