Pickle Fest returns to Slatington Saturday with 40 vendors and pickle sangria on tap
The second annual Pickle Fest will fill the Slatington Farmers Market on Saturday, April 25, with roughly 40 vendors offering handmade pickles, pickle sangria, pickle ice cream, pickle lemonade, and other pickle-themed fare.
The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the market, located at 8281 Route 873 in Washington Township, Lehigh County. Organizers said the festival is held entirely indoors at the market’s attached Expo Center, with on-site parking and attendants directing traffic.
Pickle Fest debuted in 2025 and drew people from out of state, said Gwen Lynn, the event’s organizer. Lynn estimated last year’s crowd at around 3,000, though she said the heavy turnout made it impossible to get an exact count.
“Last year was very exciting because we didn’t know what to expect,” Lynn said. “And then when the people flooded the market, it was like, holy crap, I think I did this.”
Lynn, a former vendor at the market who now runs events for the privately owned operation, said several vendors sold out of pickles before last year’s event ended. She said many of those vendors are returning with larger inventories this year, and that she expects an even bigger turnout.
The lineup of dedicated pickle vendors includes Pocono Pickle Guy, Pickle Pickle, Jerzey Girl Pickles, Helga’s Kitchen, Mrs. Fritz’s Homemade, Tommy Pickles, Jersey Pickles, and Kevin’s Crazy Kitchen Pickles. Vendors are traveling from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states, Lynn said.
Beyond the jars, the festival’s pickle-themed offerings include pickle fudge, pickle grilled cheese, pickle dirty soda, pickle lemonade, and pickle ice cream, according to Lynn.
Resident market tenants are joining in as well. Funk Brewing, the market’s in-house brewery, plans to pour a pickle-themed mixed drink, and Stone Lake Winery is expected to serve a pickle sangria, Lynn said.
A cheesesteak restaurant inside the market is rolling out a full pickle menu for the day. Guests must show valid identification to purchase or sample alcohol.
Lynn said a costumed pickle character will roam the festival for photos, and she was finalizing arrangements for a photo booth at the time of the interview.
The Slatington Farmers Market opened in June 2022 at the former Keystone Lamp Factory and features dozens of resident vendors offering produce, prepared foods, and handmade goods.
Admission is free, and Lynn said free samples will be available throughout the day.
“Just come out, have a good time,” Lynn said. “If you want to make a purchase, go ahead. If not, it’s just something fun to do for the day.”
