N.C. Pickle Festival

06/11/2026

🥒🌟 Congratulations, Julie Beck! 🌟🥒

The NC Pickle Festival is proud to celebrate Co-Director Julie Beck, who was recently invited by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage to participate in "Animating Civic Imagination: Placemaking, Festivals, and Why We Gather," a national convening held in Seattle, Washington.

Julie joined 23 festival directors from 14 states—as the only representative from North Carolina—alongside Smithsonian staff and cultural leaders from across the country to explore the vital role festivals play in building community, preserving culture, and creating meaningful connections.

Selected for her 31 years of festival experience, her work as an adjunct instructor of event planning at the University of Mount Olive, and her leadership within North Carolina's festival and tourism communities, Julie brought a wealth of knowledge and insight to the discussions.

From creative placemaking and community engagement to the future of festivals in America, the conversations reinforced something we've always known: festivals are about more than events—they're about people, place, and community.

Please join us in congratulating Julie on this incredible honor! 👏🥒

06/05/2026

🥒 🛳️ 💚 Pickle Lovers, get ready to set sail this fall on the Pickle Cruise! Celebrate 40 years of the N.C. Pickle Festival and 100 years of Mt. Olive Pickles aboard one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, Utopia of the Seas with a stop at Royal’s private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay! It’s going to he a DILLightful time. Head to picklecruise.com to lock in your cabin today!

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Their courage, sacrifice, and devotion will never be forgotten. May we carry their memory with gratitude today and always.

Wishing everyone a meaningful Memorial Day.

05/19/2026

🥒🎥 Relive the fun of the NC Pickle Festival!

From music and food to contests, vendors, and pickle-packed excitement, this video captures all the moments that make the festival such a big dill.

Check it out and see why Downtown Mount Olive is the place to be every spring! 💚🥒
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgJnKtJLrbI

We're headed to Mount Olive, North Carolina to see what the North Carolina Picklefest is all about.

05/14/2026

🥒🏆 Congratulations to Our Recipe Contest Winners! 🏆🥒

A huge congratulations to the talented winners of this year’s NC Pickle Festival Recipe Contest! From savory creations to sweet surprises, this year’s entries proved once again that pickles belong in just about everything. The winners of each category are:

🥒Appetizer: Ham & Jalapeno Cheesy Pickle Balls with Pretzel Crumbs by Fiona Green
🥒Beverage: Dill & Cherry Kool-Pickle Swirled Slushes by Fay Moreland
🥒Main Dish: Sweet & Spicy Pickled, Peppered Pork BBQ Pizza by Fay Moreleand
🥒Dessert: Petite Pickle Pound Cakes & White Chocolate Icing by Brenda Watts

💡 Fun Fact: Every winner this year also took home a win last year—just in
different categories! Now that’s what we call a big dill in the kitchen. 👏🥒

See the recipes and make your own here: https://ncpicklefest.org/events/recipe-contest/

Thank you to everyone who entered and shared their creativity, flavor, and pickle pride with us. We loved seeing all the incredible recipes and unique pickle-inspired creations.

Please join us in celebrating this year’s winners and all the contestants who made the contest such a dill-lightful success! Thank you to the Wayne County Center - NC Cooperative Extension for “spear”heading the Recipe Contest!💚

05/03/2026

🥒📅 Save the Date! 📅🥒

We’re already gearing up for another big dill of a celebration! Mark your calendars for the NC Pickle Festival on April 24, 2027 in Downtown Mount Olive.

You won’t want to miss another day of music, food, fun, and all things pickle—we can’t wait to do it all again with you!

05/02/2026

The festival may be over, but our next big adventure is just around the corner! Keep the fun going by joining us on the Pickle Cruise! We’re heading to the Bahamas from September 18-21, and we want you on board. Expect world-class dining, incredible shipboard thrills, and plenty of relish-able moments with friends. 🥒🚢🥒

Spots are limited, so don’t get left in a pickle—reserve your cabin and join fellow pickle lovers for an unforgettable adventure! Book your spot by June 26th!

👉 Learn more & book now: picklecruise.com

04/30/2026

🥒💚 A Big Dill of Thanks to the Pickle Crew!💚🥒

A massive THANK YOU to our incredible organizing trio - co-directors Julie Beck and Lynn Williams, along with the indispensable Melissa Kilpatrick, for making this weekend a total success. This talented trio works year-round to coordinate the moving parts that make our festival a North Carolina staple. Thank you, Julie, Lynn, and Melissa, for your hard work, your hearts, and your hustle!💚💚💚

04/27/2026

The NC Pickle Festival wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors. Your generosity and commitment help bring this pickle-packed celebration to life each year.

A special thank you to our presenting sponsors, Mount Mt. Olive Pickles, the Town of Mount Olive, and Southern Bank along with all of the businesses and organizations who support this event.

Because of you, we’re able to create a fun, memorable experience for our community and visitors from near and far.

We appreciate your partnership in making the Pickle Festival such a big dill! 🥒🎉

04/26/2026

Thank you to Kirk Pullen Photography for these DILL-lightful photos of the 2026 Pickle Pre-Party! What a fun night!