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Whether you are a pickle lover or looking for a fun weekend outing, the 2025 North Carolina Pickle Festival is back and ready to relish the spotlight. From Friday, April 25 to Saturday, April 26, the town of Mount Olive will burst to life with delicious treats, toe-tapping tunes, and a ton of family-friendly activities.
Each year, this two-day event attracts thousands of people from all over the state for a celebration of all things pickle. The festivities kick off Friday night with a free concert by Spare Change from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in front of R&R Brewing. Additionally, runners can participate in the Cuke Patch 5K Glow Run at 7:30 p.m., with prizes awarded for the best male and female costumes, as well as the best group costume.
Meanwhile, carnival rides will be spinning in the Steele Memorial Library parking lot from 5 to 9 p.m., with $15 wristbands granting unlimited access to the rides.
The pickle-powered celebration will ramp up on Saturday, April 26, starting at 9 a.m. with a variety of exciting activities in downtown Mount Olive. The Tour de Pickle bike ride will begin at the Mt. Olive Pickle Company’s Walker Warehouse. Cyclists will pedal through Wayne and Duplin counties in 50- and 25-mile routes, all for a good cause—proceeds benefit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue in Surf City.
The main stage will feature live music with Dreamwave performing at 9 a.m. bringing ’80s rock, pop, and country vibes. They will be followed by Erik Hawks and the Hard Luck Band at 11:20 a.m., and The Lounge Lizards at 1:40 p.m., performing a throwback mix of hits from the ’70s through the 2000s. The Brodie Cormack Band will take the stage at 4 p.m., delivering boogie-woogie, classic country, and southern rock.
Additional entertainment includes roaming performances by One Man Band at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. At noon, brave contenders will compete in the pickle-eating contest, attempting to devour as many Mt. Olive pickles as possible in just 5 minutes. Winners will receive a cash prize and the coveted NC Pickle Eating Champion Trophy. Join Ollie Q. Cumber, the festival’s mascot, on the main stage at 1:30 p.m. for the Ollie’s Costume Contest, which will award prizes for Best Overall, Best Couple, Best Group, and Best Children categories.
Enjoy hometown talent and entertainment at the dancers’ stage, featuring performances throughout the day, with special appearances by the NC Pickle Festival Queens at noon and Miss Goldsboro and Miss Goldsboro Teen at 1 p.m.
For the first time in over 30 years, the festival will not include a classic car show. This decision was made due to heightened safety concerns following recent national incidents, including the vehicle attack in New Orleans, which raised worries about crowd protection.
The planning committee worked with police, fire, and EMS to establish a secure perimeter and eliminate vehicle access during festival hours. This decision led to the removal of the car show because its timing and movement within the crowded area posed safety challenges.
This year, the number of shuttle buses has increased from seven to 12, with three drop-off zones to improve visitor flow and reduce congestion in the surrounding neighborhoods. Free park-and-ride shuttles will operate throughout the day on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m., making it easier for everyone to enjoy the festivities downtown.
To enhance the festival’s immersive pickle experience, this year food vendors were required to offer pickle-themed items, and arts and crafts sellers were encouraged to do the same.
Additional attractions this year include a classic tractor show on James Street, helicopter rides, a beer and wine garden, free Mt. Olive pickles, a petting zoo, art displays, an open house at Mount Olive’s History Museum, and an indoor pickleball tournament running from April 24 through April 26 at 612 S. Breazeale Ave., Mount Olive. The N.C. Pickle Festival also hosts an annual recipe contest, encouraging culinary creativity with prizes awarded in appetizer, main dish, dessert, and beverage categories. Winners will receive a year’s supply of Mt. Olive Pickles.
