• Entry Fee: $10 per entry

• Registration Deadline: On site registration

Celebrating the art of pickling, enter your homemade pickled items of any variety, from traditional cucumber pickles to unique creations like okra, fruits, and more.

RULES

1. Age Categories:

   • Youth Division: Ages 18 and under.

   • Adult Division: Ages 19 and older.

2. Freshness Requirement: All entries must have been pickled within the past 12 months.

3. Jar Specifications: Each entry must be presented in two sealed, sterilized jars (one for judging, one for display).

4. Tasting Rules:

   • Judges will only taste from jars opened on-site.

   • No opened or compromised jars will be accepted.

5. Recipe Transparency: All participants must submit a recipe card detailing all ingredients and the pickling method used. Card will be displayed next to the product during the contest. Recipe can have a mystery ingredient but the pickle component must be written in the recipe.

6. Multiple Entries:

   • Participants can submit more than one entry, but each product requires a separate fee and jars.

JUDGING (Scale of 1-10)

Flavor: Is the taste balanced, pleasant, and unique?

Texture & Crispness: Is the texture ideal for the item? Not too soft or over-pickled?

Visual Appeal: Does the product look appealing in the jar?

Use of Ingredients: Are the ingredients chosen well for pickling?

Overall Creativity: Is the product unique, surprising, or inventive?

SCHEDULE (Saturday)

10 AM - 11 AM: Contestant Check-in and Setup

11 AM - 1 PM: Judging Panel Tasting

1 PM - 2 PM: Public Viewing of Entries and Display Jars

4 PM: Announcement of Winners and Award Ceremony

PRIZES

Youth Division (18 and under):

1st Place: Trophy + $150 Cash Prize

2nd Place: Ribbon + $75 Cash Prize

3rd Place: Ribbon + $50 Cash Prize

Adult Division (19+):

1st Place: Trophy + $300 Cash Prize

2nd Place: Ribbon + $150 Cash Prize

3rd Place: Ribbon + $75 Cash Prize

SUPPLIES

Provided by the Organizer:

• Display tables and labels for entries

• Judging station (with plates, utensils, napkins)

• Sanitization station for safe food handling

Provided by Contestant:

• Two jars per entry (1 display, 1 for tasting)

• Recipe card (one per entry)

Showcase your creativity and culinary skills with all things pickle.

From savory to sweet, spicy to dill, Pickle Fest is looking for the most inventive, mouthwatering dishes that incorporate the beloved pickle.

Date: Saturday, June 7th
Location: Ethnic Building
Entry Fee: $25 per contestant/team
Registration Deadline: May 25, 2025

PRIZE CATEGORIES & AWARDS

• People's Choice Award (determined by event attendees). Trophy/Certificate + $500 Cash Prize

• Judge's Award Favorite (determined by judges). Trophy/Certificate + $1,000 Cash Prize

AUDIENCE ADMISSION: $5 per person (to vote on the People’s Choice)

RULES

Entry Requirements:

• Contestants must incorporate at least one pickle-related component (any variety, such as dill pickles, pickled vegetables, pickled fruits, etc.) into their dish.

• Contestants must submit a recipe card (detailing ingredients and method) that highlights the pickle component used.

• Contestants may enter up to 3 dishes. Entry fee is $25 per dish.

Dish Types:

• Appetizers, entrees, desserts, or drinks are all welcome, creativity is encouraged!

Contest Rules:

• Dishes must be prepared in advance; some on-site assembly or plating is allowed.

• Contestants must provide sample portions for judges and the public (suggested: 150 to 200 small tasting portions).

• Contestants must display their dish with the recipe card provided for transparency. (Some ingredients may be a mystery, example mystery sauce, mystery seasoning but the pickle component must be written out in the recipe.

• No raw meat or unpasteurized dairy allowed due to health regulations.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Judges’ Panel: Flavor (40%), Use of Pickle Component (30%), Presentation (20%), Creativity (10%)

People's Choice: Based on public voting (tasting attendees will cast their votes at the event).

SCHEDULE

10 AM - 11 AM: Contestant Check-in and Setup

11:30 AM - 2 PM: Public Tasting & Voting Begins

2 PM - 3 PM: Judges' Panel Tasting and Deliberation

3:30 PM: Voting Closes

4 PM: Announcement of Winners and Award Ceremony

SUPPLIES

Provided by the Organizer:

• Tables and chairs for setup

Provided by the Contestant:

• Dish and ingredients for assembly

• Serving plates, cups, and utensils for tasting

• Recipe card to display

• Serving equipment or displays for their presentation (if needed)

Enter this exciting and friendly tournament held during the annual Pickle Fest for both seasoned players and newcomers to come together and compete for fun, glory, and prize money.

It’s the perfect addition to a festival that celebrates all things pickle!

More details coming soon.

This contest invites participants of all ages to see how many pickles they can eat within a set time!

Contestants will compete in different age groups for bragging rights, cash prizes, and trophies.

It’s a fun, fast-paced event that’s perfect for pickle lovers and spectators alike.

More details coming soon.