Pickle Fest plans being firmed
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on March 11, 2005 1:48 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- Plans are taking shape for the 19th annual N.C. Pickle Festival.
The festival will be held April 22 and 23, with kick-off events set for April 16 and 21.
On April 16, the Tour de Pickle bike ride will be held, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. at the Mt. Olive Pickle Co. Distribution Center. The routes will be 25 miles, 50 miles and 75 miles.
On April 21, the Pickle Festival Golf Classic will be held, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Southern Wayne Country Club. Also downtown will be the Pickle Pete Shopping Spree with merchant specials from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and a fashion show by Ruffles & Bows at noon at Crossties Steak and Seafood, located at the former Oliver's restaurant on Center Street.
On April 22 downtown the carnival rides begin at 5 p.m. and stay open until 9 p.m. Ride all night for $8.
The same night at the airport, the Band of Oz plays at 8 p.m. Gates open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the gate. Children age 3 and under get in free. No coolers are allowed, but a beer garden and food will be available.
On April 23 the downtown events begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 6 p.m. Activities include pig and duck races, crafts and vendors, a mechanical bull, a climbing wall and the Wayne County Cruisers Car Show. There will be free Mt. Olive Pickles, a Harley Motorcycle Show, an art exhibit and a hands-on art walk. In the children's area will be a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and a Pickle Derby. Miss North Carolina and the N.C. Pickle Princesses will be on hand. There will be two entertainment stages, T-shirts and caps, a photo contest, a pickle recipe contest, a bike stunt team, the Red Cross Van, a Friends of the Library book sale, costumed characters like Mr. Crisp, Andyman, Mr. Pig and J.P. Carolina Turkey, the annual Cucumber Patch 5K run and Children's Pickle Pedal Power Parade.
On April 23 at the airport will be a fly-in, sky divers, radio-controlled airplane demonstrations, aircraft judging and barbecue, all sponsored by the Grantham Aero Club. Also at noon at the airport will be the Death Defying Dill Dive.
For information abou the festival events, people may call 658-3113, email moacc@earthlink.net or visit the web site at www.ncpicklefest.org.