Love pickles? Mississippi Pickle Fest in Jackson is a big dill. What to know about food, events

Show Caption

It’s kind of a big dill.

Mississippi Pickle fest is this weekend at the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum. The event will have two days of fun sure to satisfy anyone who loves pickles. There will be food, contests, live music and demonstrations along with more than 50 vendors.

How about boozy pickles? On Saturday, Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery will give out samples of moonshine-marinated pickles and oranges.

All day at both events, there will be a Sweet Pickle Patch Kids Area sponsored by the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation. A Pickleball Exhibition will also run both days of the event, sponsored by Community Bank.

The event benefits the MS Agriculture & Forestry Museum and the National Agricultural Aviation Museum, and it’s sure to please anyone who loves pickles. Here’s what you need to know about costs, events, parking, what the weather calls this weekend.

When is Mississippi Pickle Fest?

The event will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 7 and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, June 8.

Where do I park?

Event parking is off Lakeland Drive, in the lot with the Sports Hall of Fame.

The event entrance is near the Education Center at the AG Museum.

How to buy tickets

Tickets are online at msagmuseumfoundation.org/pickle-fest. Each person has to have a ticket for each day of the event, and the number of spots is limited.

They cost $15 per day or $10 a day for Mississippi Ag Museum Foundation Members.

There’s a capacity limit for the museum, and the ticket limit ensures there’s enough parking available.

What’s the weather forecast for Mississippi Pickle Fest?

“Pickle Fest is an outdoor event and will take place rain or shine!” according to the event website.

On Saturday, the whole state can expect showers and storms. The greatest risk is along the 1-20 corridor and northward.

On Sunday, all of Mississippi is under a marginal risk warning, which is a Level 1 risk out of a possible five.

Be prepared: Severe storms expected in MS this weekend. Here’s the latest weather forecast

What’s the Pickle Fest schedule?

According to the festival website, the schedule is as follows.

Saturday, June 7

• 10 a.m.: Gates and vendors open.
• 10-11 a.m.: Registration and set up for the Pickle Palooza Contest,
• 10-11:30 a.m. Registration for the Pickle Eating Contest.
• 10 a.m. to noon: Live music by the Patrick Ballard.
• 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Live music from Doug Hurd of Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster.
• 11 a.m.: Story Time with Uncle Story.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Canning demo by MS State Extension Office.
• 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pickle Palooza Food Contest (sponsored by National Presto Industries).
• Noon: Story Time with Uncle Story.
• Noon to 2 p.m.: Live music by Naomi Raines/The Whispering Trees.
• 12:30 p.m.: Adult Division – Pickle Eating Contest (sponsored by Anytime Roofing & Construction).
• 1 p.m.: Story Time with Uncle Story.
• 1:30 p.m.: Master’s Division – Pickle Eating Contest.
• 2 p.m.: Story Time with Uncle Story.
• 2 -4 p.m. Live music by Philip Yarbrough.
• 2-4 p.m. Cooking demo by MS State Extension Office.
• 2:15-4 p.m.: Live music by South of 20 Unplugged.
• 4 p.m.: Contest winners announcements.
• 5 p.m. Gates close.

Summer fun: Here are 10 festivals to attend this summer in, near Jackson

Sunday, June 8

• 1 p.m.: Gates and vendors open.
• 1-2 p.m. Registration for Pickle Eating Contest.
• 1-2 p.m. Registration and set up for Pickle Palooza Contest.
• 1-3 p.m. Live music by Dylan Alford.
• 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Live music by Chad Wesley and Thomas Barnes.
• 2 p.m.: Story Time with Uncle Story.
• 2-4 p.m.: Canning demo and cooked item tasting by MS State Extension Office.
• 2-4 p.m.: Pickle Palooza Food Contest (sponsored by National Presto Industries).
• 2:30 p.m.: Adult Division – Pickle Eating Contest (sponsored by Nucor Steel.)
• 3 p.m.: Story Time with Uncle Story.
• 3:15-5 p.m.: Live music by Tony Nichols of Soundcheck the Band.
• 3:15 p.m.: Master’s Division – Pickle Eating Contest.
• 4 p.m.: Contest winners announcements.
• 5 p.m.: Gates close.

Where are bathrooms?

According to the event map, there are restrooms at the Heritage Center, the 4-H Learning Center and some additional facilities behind the General Store.

Contributing: Brian Broom

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at [email protected].