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Pickle Festival on July 4th in Berrien Springs

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As a bustling hub of agriculture, Southwest Michigan brings countless visitors to the area every year, in every season. The sweet scent of grapes wafts over our tender lands in Autumn, strawberries stain our fingertips as we eagerly pick in June, and now your need for briney crunch can be satisfied in Berrien Springs at the Annual Berrien Springs Pickle Festival.

On July 4th, the gathering of the cucumbers will resume for the second year, after a sixteen (or so) year hiatus. The Pickle Festival in Berrien Springs began in the 1990s, when the Chamber of Commerce wished to hold an agriculture-based festival in the heart of Berrien County. It was held around Christmastime, to celebrate the village being crowned the “Christmas Pickle Capital of the World” by Pickle Packers International, a tasty title worthy of praise.

The festivities evolved through the years, with the organization settling on Fourth of July weekend as the perfect time for this savory occasion. In 2020, Kelly Ewalt (Village of Berrien Springs) was hired to bring back the festival, though in the midst of the pandemic, the future of it was uncertain. By May of last year, the produce party was a go, and the planning began.

“Last year we brought back the Bigwheel Race for kids, and the ever-popular Pickle Fling,” says Kelly. “The record is 294 feet, and watching people throw pickles as hard as they can is hilarious!” They offered crafts, a Decorate Your Own Pickle contest, and even hosted a three-legged race, old Americana style.

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Roughly 2,000 attendees were present for the festival in 2021, and this year, the numbers are estimated to be even greater. With an actual Pickle Committee of seven people, including Rhiannon Cizon of the Berrien County Historical Association and Kristina Knezic of the Berrien Springs Community Library, and multiple schools and businesses involved, the 2022 Pickle Festival is going to be a huge dill.

“Our expectations have already been surpassed!” Kelly says. “Local schools, businesses, and community organizations are pouring in for sponsorships, and this just shows how great our little town is.”

This year, pickle fun doesn’t stop at flinging: there will be pickles for sale, a pickle recipe contest (people interested in dropping off pickles for judging can do so by June 28th), a pickle tasting room (pickle flavored cotton candy?), and so much more. Local craft and food vendors, as well as some from out of state are already on the docket for the festival, and from June 26th – the 30th, the entire town will be ready for the Scavenger Hunt. Follow the Berrien Springs Pickle Festival Facebook page and watch for daily clues: find Dillard, the pickle festival mascot, at ten participating businesses for your chance to win a gift basket.

Dillard was created with the help of Andrews University branding class, with the task of constructing the perfect festival logo. A five foot pickle named Dillard fits the bill!

This is an event for tons of family fun, and the festivities have already started. On June 18th, the 2022 Pickle Festival Royalty was crowned, as well as the Grand Dillmeister. Miss Berrien Springs Pickle Festival is Madylin Keigley, Pickle Festival Junior Miss is Gabriella Hill, and the Pickle Festival Princess is Lena Schultz. Local pharmacist Winston Nwoke was crowned Grand Dillmeister for 2022. Andrews University hosted the ‘In A Pickle’ 5K on Sunday, June 19th, and ninety-four runners relished the start to this Summer’s activities.


Photo by B.S. Pickle Festival

The Pickleball Tournament at Berrien Springs High School Courts takes place on Sunday, June 26th beginning at 3pm, as a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Tennis Programs at Berrien Springs High School. Register your team online, and the team fee is only $25.

On Monday, July 4th, begin your morning at the Berrien Springs/Oronoko Township Public Safety building for a pre-pickle Pancake Breakfast from 7:30 a.m – 12:30 p.m, and head to the grounds at the Berrien Springs History Museum and Berrien Springs Library at 11 a.m. The area will resemble Pickledilly Square, bursting with festival-goers and excited onlookers, tightly-packed schedules in hand. There is no entrance fee, and free parking will be in the B.S. Public School lots. The Fourth of July parade winds through town at 4 p.m, the Berrien Springs Legion Post 85 Street Dance lasts from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m on Bluff Street, and as an added bonus, the glorious Community Fireworks will start at dusk, over the fairgrounds.

“This festival is about people coming together and having fun,” says Kelly. “Our volunteers are amazing, our support is amazing, local businesses are amazing. Come walk around, do crafts, and throw pickles!”

The exciting return of the festival will bring fun by the bushel, so mark your calendars. For more information about the many, many events planned,  and a full schedule of activities, please visit the Berrien Springs Pickle Festival Facebook page.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor

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