NC Pickle Festival returns

The streets of downtown Mount Olive came alive with cheerful energy as thousands gathered for the 2025 NC Pickle Festival.

The event featured live music and captivating performances throughout the day. Participants reveled in the pickle-eating contest, cheering for Haley Yu, who was crowned pickle-eating champion, devouring 12 pickles. Hot on her heels were Kaitlynn Pelletier, Chuck Kind, and Karson Minor, who each munched their way through 10 pickles.
Celebrity chef Vivian Howard was among the pickle-eating contestants. While she didn’t snag the title, she left with priceless memories to relish.

Festival-goers took selfies with Ollie Q. Cumber, rode on the pickle train, and indulged in carnival food while browsing hundreds of vendors showcasing all things pickles. Other highlights included carnival rides, Ollies’ costume contest, a classic tractor show, a petting zoo, helicopter rides, and live music with Dreamwave, Erik Hawks and the Hard Luck Band, The Lounge Lizards and The Brodie Cormack Band.

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