Pickle eating contest set for festival
By From staff reports
Published in News on April 19, 2017 9:57 AM
MOUNT OLIVE -- So just how many pickles can you eat in one sitting?
The 31 annual North Carolina Pickle Festival will offer you chance to answer that questions at its first-ever pickle-eating contest on Saturday, April 29.
The contest is set for noon at the News-Argus Corner, located at the intersection of Center and East James streets in downtown Mount Olive.
"We've had requests for a pickle-eating contest over the years, but we have never really pursued it before," said Julie Beck, festival co-chairman. "But this year just seems to be the year to try it."
The event will not be a part of any professional eating competition, just a chance for anyone who wants to test themselves -- and their constitutions.
The pickles, of course, will be Mt. Olive Pickles -- whole kosher dills, to be exact.
Participants will have 5 minutes to down their own bowl of them. The field will be limited to 12 participants -- six men and six women ages 18 and over.
The festival is accepting up to 10 participants, five men and five women, prior to Saturday, April 29.
Participants can enter on a first-come, first served basis by calling the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce at 919-658-3113, or by emailing their interest to president@mountolivechamber.com.
Organizers will hold open a minimum of one male and one female slot for the day of the festival, to give festival-goers a chance to enter.
If more than one in the male or female categories expresses an interest, a random drawing for each category will be held to determine who competes.
The winner in each category receives a $30 cash prize, and bragging rights, of course, at least until next year.
"It ought to be a lot of fun, and it certainly creates a public event that focuses on our festival's claim to fame," Ms. Beck said. "It's going to be dill-licious."
The award-winning North Carolina Pickle Festival, presented by the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce, draws tens of thousands to downtown Mount Olive on the last full weekend in April each year.
The festival main day is Saturday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For complete details and latest news, visit the website at www.ncpicklefest.org or visit on Facebook.