The Berrien Springs Pickle Festival is set for July 4, and there are events taking place this week leading into it. Berrien Springs community coordinator Kelly Ewalt tells us they’ve already selected the royalty and have held a 5K, but going on this week is the scavenger hunt.
“We have hidden numerous Dillards, which is our little pickle guy mascot, at a lot of different businesses downtown,” Ewalt said. “Clues are released each day on our Facebook page for people to go and find Dillard.”
Those who find all the Dillards will be entered to win a gift basket. As for the festival next Tuesday, Ewalt says everything runs from 11 to 3, kicking off with the Big Wheel Race for kids at 11:30. The dunk tank with some local celebrities opens at 11:30, and the pickle decorating contest is at noon. The tasting room opens at noon.
“We have eleven different items this year. Some of the notable ones are pickled quail eggs. We have pickled blueberries, pickled broccoli, pickled watermelon rind…The group that does this, they try to find the most unique items for people to try. They did a really good job this year.”
There will also be a relish eating contest at noon, and the Pickle Fling will be at 12:30. That’s when people throw pickles down Kimmel Street for distance. The record is just under 300 feet. Ewalt invites everyone to Berrien Springs for the day, saying it’s a big dill and everyone will relish the fun.
