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Travel + Leisure
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
Pittsburgh Has a 3-day Pickle Festival—and You Can Ride a Mechanical Pickle, Eat Pickled Cannoli, and Enter a Pickle Juice Drinking Contest
'Welcome to Pittsburgh, you jagoffs!' That's how I was greeted—playfully—on a sweltering Saturday in July by the emcee of the pickle brine drinking contest. Five words I'd certainly never heard strung together before. The event, part of Pittsburgh's aptly named annual pickle festival, Picklesburgh, drew a large, spirited crowd. And judging by a show-of-hands prompted by the emcee, most had traveled from out of town just for the occasion. Suffice to say, these people take their pickles seriously. As interest in bold flavors and gut health continues to rise, it's no wonder that pickles are trendier than ever. And with its Heinz heritage and vibrant Easter European community, Pittsburgh is a natural home for the celebration. Founded in 2015 to help activate downtown, Picklesburgh began in good fun. "It started as a cheeky, funny thing,' Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership CEO Jeremy Waldrup told Travel + Leisure . 'And then it just kept going. Now, people come from near and far just for Picklesburgh.' This year, marking its 10th anniversary, the festival welcomed more than 200,000 attendees. To accommodate the surge, organizers expanded its footprint, stretching it across downtown and spilling onto not one but two of the Sister Bridges spanning the Allegheny River—it's largest and "most ambitious" layout yet. My best friend (and Pittsburgh native) Eleanor and I kicked off our day in PPG Plaza, where contests like pickle brine drinking, pickle eating, and pickle bobbing contests took place. By 11:45 a.m., just 15 minutes before the festival officially resumed for its second day, the plaza was already buzzing. Lines snaked arounds stands and food trucks, hawking everything from pickle crab rangoons and bratwurst with pickle cabbage to pun-filled T-shirts. We weaved through a sea of green-clad crowds and stumbled upon the festival's newest attraction: a mechanical pickle. Most riders were thrown off within seconds, and not wanting to share their fate, we decided to watch from a safe distance and pass on this experience ourselves. After browsing the Briny Bazaar, a marketplace of pickle- and Pittsburgh-themed arts and crafts, it was time to eat. We started with flavorful Mexican street pickles from Tako and a pickle-studded slice from Giovanni's Pizza & Pasta. Then came the boldest bites: the "Meat Monster" from the Pittsburgh Irish Festival (a hot dog stuffed into a hollowed-out pickle and wrapped in bacon), a pickle cannoli from DiAnoia's Eatery, and chocolate-covered pickles from Pickle Me Pete. I can't say I'd go back for some of these, but they were undeniably fun to try. Luckily, we unknowingly saved the best for last: the pickle eggrolls from Le's Oriental, a longtime festival favorite, lived up to the hype. And against all odds, the pickled peachsicle milkshake from Burgatory—a burger-and-milkshake joint known for its inventive concoctions—was a creamy, refreshing, and just sweet enough. As we made our way toward Picklesburgh's signature giant Heinz pickle balloon, Jack Dougherty, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership's senior director of constituent services, summed up the festival's energy. 'This whole thing is kind of goofy, and that's kind of the point of it,' he said. That sentiment reflects Pittsburgh itself: a city that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's quirky, rooted in an eclectic history, and full embraces its oddities. As Pittsburgh continues to rise as a travel and culinary destination, it's never pretended to be anything it's not—and Picklesburgh showcases that authenticity. One of the festival's newer additions is Taste of Picklesburgh, a weeklong collaboration with local businesses offering pickle-themed specials. In Love, a women-owned concept store in Market Square, a pickle-themed table stood proudly near the entrance, decked with ornaments, plushies, and other pickle trinkets made by local artisans. Co-founder Kelly Sanders told T+L that construction-related disruptions in the area had hurt business, but Picklesburgh, she said, "boosted traffic a ton." That seemed to be the case at every Taste of Picklesburgh-affiliated business we visited. At Space Bar, a buzzy new spot with futuristic decor and an inventive cocktail menu, the line stretched out the door by 5 p.m. As we entered, a woman on her way out whispered that we had to try the pickle "Red Dwarf" shot. The bar's special festival menu, titled Picklesburgh in Orbit, also featured a pickle martini and the "Dill Void," made with olive leaf liquor, clarified grapefruit, and dill. We landed at a gas-giant-inspired table, sipping mocktails—mine, called Space Milk, came in a milk-carton-shaped glass and featured pandan leaf and acid-adjusted lime. There, we chatted with co-owner Elizabeth Menzel, who had relocated from L.A. to Pittsburgh with her partner before opening the bar in 2023. When I asked why, she smiled: 'We thought, 'This place is really weird.' And we love weird.' Our final stop was Alta Via, an upscale restaurant just steps from Space Bar, which general manager Jennifer Johnston said was 'super busy all weekend long' thanks to the festival. The menu leans toward elevated classics—think lobster tagliatelle, seafood arabbiata, and ridiculously pillowy sourdough focaccia—but Taste of Picklesburgh gave the team an opportunity to play. Clearly, the experiment paid off: at the table next to us, all four diners ordered a second round of spicy pickled palomas. I ended that day thoroughly satisfied, belly full of pickles (and tiramisu). By the time we returned to Market Square, the crowds had begun to thin, and vendors were starting to pack up for the third and final day of the festival. I've been to Pittsburgh many time, but something about this visit stood out. Maybe it was the pickles. Maybe it was the people. Maybe it was my new "I'm kind of a big dill" T-shirt. Or maybe it was simply the undeniable charm of a Rust Belt city proudly leaning into everything that makes it different. As Waldrup put it best: 'You can't manufacture that.'
CBS News
7 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Report on state of Downtown Pittsburgh focuses on revitalization
Is Downtown Pittsburgh growing? Is it dying? Does the outlook look good, or is it discouraging? Those questions and others were addressed Tuesday during a meeting with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and local leaders. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is the group that puts on Picklesburgh, Light Up Night and other events. They're also the think tank and actors leading the charge to revitalize Downtown as a vibrant center for the entire region. A few short decades ago, Downtown Pittsburgh was one of the most dynamic city centers in the country. Today, in 2025, some say it's a struggling space trying to redefine its identity. But there are people working to revitalize Downtown. "We have a number of residential projects and conversions in the pipeline. There's currently 1,062 residential units in the pipeline for delivery to market over the next three years, and 79% of those are former office space," said Cate Irvin, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership's senior director of economic development. Part of the strategy to grow Downtown is taking the ever-growing amount of empty office space and turning it into residential space. Another key factor is not only keeping businesses Downtown, but doing everything possible to attract new ones. "Help address specific issues, whether that might be permitting, public safety, transit, workforce, really just about anything," Irvin said. Safety is on the list. It comes after two people were shot in the Cultural District on Friday. "There was the unfortunate incident this past week in the Cultural District. There's been a lot of discussion about what happened there and how to ensure it doesn't happen again. We continue to see a significant police presence in Downtown with the public safety center, but we know it's not enough," said Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership president and CEO Jeremy Waldrup. Waldrup went on to say that more needs to be done. And don't think this is a unique Pittsburgh problem. Many major cities throughout our nation are experiencing these same challenges.
CBS News
17-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Pittsburgh's annual Holiday Market moving to new temporary location
Pittsburgh's Holiday Market is moving to a new location this year. Because of construction in Market Square, the Peoples Gas Holiday Market will set up shop for its 14th season in the Cultural District. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership said the exact location will be revealed later, but the Holiday Market will continue "to deliver the same festive charm and family-friendly magic that have made it a holiday favorite and a Pittsburgh institution for nearly 15 years." The Holiday Market, which opens the Friday before Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas Eve, transforms Downtown into a festive winter wonderland. Vendors set up shop in decorated chalets, selling handcrafted treasures from around the world. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership says the event is a key driver of seasonal foot traffic and economic impact. While more details about this year's market will be announced later, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is accepting vendor applications through Aug. 8. The Market Square project is the cornerstone of a 10-year $600 million revitalization project for Downtown Pittsburgh. The work is slated to be done in April, ahead of Pittsburgh hosting the 2026 NFL Draft. Some estimate the draft will bring at least 300,000 people to Pittsburgh.
CBS News
14-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
10 years on, Picklesburgh remains as popular as ever, organizers say
After a weekend of sweet and sour fun, Picklesburgh 2025 is in the books. The event was expected to bring 250,000 people and millions of dollars in revenue to the city. The question is: How did it go? It's all over but the brine, as in pickle juice. From weather to lines, attendees faced a few challenges, but the man who heads up the effort says while there's always room for improvement, it went as well as could be expected. The annual cavalcade of all things pickle-related saw massive throngs of gherkin and dill-loving attendees take to the streets, hot streets at that. "Standing next to those fryers in line makes it 10 times as hot," Philadelphia resident Heather Wirzberger said. "Mother Nature wasn't very easy on us this year," said Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. Heat aside, the event remains a moneymaker for the city. "A $23 million impact on the region," Waldrup added. For some attending, the crowd size was surprising, as were the lines. "I think everyone who lives in Allegheny County is here," Plum's Lisa Bonacci said. Waldrup told KDKA-TV that the crowds may have seemed a lot thicker because of the following. "Last year, we did it over four days. This year we did it over three." Waldrup says the event was, space-wise, literally the biggest Picklesburgh ever to space out people. "This year it was almost three times larger, clocking in at 1.2 miles." Will it be bigger next year? Waldrup says it's way too early to tell. "We have a lot of notes. I personally like the footprint. We heard it was too long and people didn't want to walk that much," Waldrup said. One thing that everyone seems to agree on is what needs to make a return: the popular pickle-riding attraction. "I will say that mechanical pickle was a hit," Waldrup said.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PITTSBURGH'S "PICKLESBURGH" CELEBRATES 10 YEARS AS AMERICA'S MOST BUZZWORTHY SUMMER FESTIVAL WITH FIRST-EVER MECHANICAL PICKLE RIDE
Quirky grassroots event grows into a national phenomenon, drawing 250,000+ attendees and $23.2 million in economic impact PITTSBURGH, July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- What began as a quirky ode to pickled foods has officially become a national phenomenon. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend, Picklesburgh returns to Downtown Pittsburgh, July 11–13, with its most talked about lineup yet, including the debut of a one-of-a-kind mechanical pickle ride. Bucking, spinning, and photo-ready, it's the kind of moment made for headlines and hashtags. "Picklesburgh has always been about more than just pickles – it's about bringing people to Downtown Pittsburgh," said Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. "Ten years later, it's become a symbol of what's possible when cities invest in public spaces. We're drawing hundreds of thousands of people Downtown and reminding the country that Pittsburgh is a city on the rise." Since launching in 2015, Picklesburgh has grown more than tenfold, evolving from a quirky weekend celebration into a signature event on Pittsburgh's summer calendar and a major driver of Downtown's economic momentum. The festival has received national recognition from outlets including USA Today, Travel + Leisure, Food Network, Good Morning America, the Today Show,and Delish, and has been named USA Today's Best Specialty Food Festival four times. In 2024, Picklesburgh drew more than 250,000 attendees and generated $23.2 million in direct spending across Downtown restaurants, hotels, shops, and attractions. According to VisitPittsburgh, hotel occupancy Downtown jumped nearly 30 percent during the weekend, with 90 percent of rooms booked, underscoring the festival's growing role in summer tourism and local vitality. A decade of dill-ightful data:In 10 years, Picklesburgh has delivered both fun and financial impact: Nearly 1,000% increase in festival attendance 114% growth in vendor participation 95,000 pickle beers poured 14,000 pickle balloons sold 800 quarts of pickle juice consumed in competition As Pittsburgh continues to revitalize its Downtown, Picklesburgh stands as proof of what's possible when a city leans into its character, and shares it with the world. This year's festival features: The first-ever mechanical pickle ride—a headline-making twist on the classic mechanical bull An expanded footprint stretching across two Sister Bridges, Market Square, PPG Plaza, Allegheny Landing, and Fort Duquesne Boulevard Commemorative 10th anniversary merchandise New pickle-inspired food and beverage creations Family-friendly activities at the Lil Gherkin Kids Area The return of fan favorites like the Pickle Juice Drinking Contest and multiple live music stages Media assets, including photos and video of the mechanical pickle ride, available upon request. For more information, visit About the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership: Formed by Downtown businesses, professionals, civic organizations, foundations, and residents, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is a non-profit community development organization that leads Downtown's transformation with innovative programs that drive growth, vibrancy, and engagement. For more information, visit and follow us on social (@downtownpitt). Contact: Ashlee Wallaceawallace@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
