2026 North Carolina Pickle Festival

Zesty Kosher Dill Sponsors contribute at the $5,000 level and above in either cash contributions or a blend of cash and in-kind services. Among the sponsor benefits: Sponsor logo included in all Festival publications. Inclusion in one blog post and at least four social media mentions. Logo weblink on the Festival's website list of sponsors. Recognition as a Zesty Kosher Dill sponsor on sponsorship signage at the Festival. Up to three free vendor spaces (completion of vendor packet required by March 1, 2026). 20 Hospitality Suite passes for the day of the Festival. Eight tickets to the sponsor reception on Wednesday, April 22 from 5-7 pm at the historic Southerland-Burnette House in Mount Olive.

Bread & Butter Sponsors contribute at the $2,500 level in either cash contributions or a blend of cash and in-kind services. Among the sponsor benefits: Sponsor logo included in all Festival publications. Inclusion in at least three social media mentions. Logo weblink on the Festival's website list of sponsors. Recognition as a Bread & Butter sponsor on sponsorship signage at the Festival. Up to two free vendor spaces (completion of vendor packet required by March 1, 2026). 10 Hospitality Suite passes for the day of the Festival. Six tickets to the sponsor reception on Wednesday, April 22 from 5-7 pm at the historic Southerland-Burnette House in Mount Olive.

King Kosher Dill Sponsor contribute at the $1,000 level in either cash contributions or a blend of cash and in-kind services. This application includes a free vendor space! Among the sponsor benefits: Sponsor logo included in all Festival publications. Inclusion in at least two social media mentions. Logo weblink on the Festival's website list of sponsors. Recognition as a King Kosher Dill sponsor on sponsorship signage at the Festival. One free vendor space (completion of vendor packet required by March 1, 2026). Six Hospitality Suite passes for the day of the Festival. Four tickets to the sponsor reception on Wednesday, April 22 from 5-7 pm at the historic Southerland-Burnette House in Mount Olive.

Super Dill Sponsors contribute at the $500 level in either cash contributions or a blend of cash and in-kind services. Among the sponsor benefits: Sponsor logo included in all Festival publications. Inclusion in one social media mention. Logo weblink on the Festival's website list of sponsors. Recognition as a Super Dill sponsor on sponsorship signage at the Festival. Four Hospitality Suite passes for the day of the Festival. Two tickets to the sponsor reception on Wednesday, April 22 from 5-7 pm at the historic Southerland-Burnette House in Mount Olive.

Sweet Gherkin Sponsors contribute at the $250 level in either cash contributions or a blend of cash and in-kind services. Among the sponsor benefits: Sponsor logo included in all Festival publications. Inclusion in one social media mention. Name weblink on the Festival's website list of sponsors. Recognition as a Sweet Gherkin sponsor on sponsorship signage at the Festival. Two Hospitality Suite passes for the day of the Festival. Two tickets to the sponsor reception on Wednesday, April 22 from 5-7 pm at the historic Southerland-Burnette House in Mount Olive.

Sweet Relish Sponsors contribute at the $100 level in either cash contributions or a blend of cash and in-kind services. Among the sponsor benefits: Sponsor name included in all Festival publications. Inclusion in one social media mention. Name listed on the Festival's website list of sponsors. Recognition as a Sweet Relish sponsor on sponsorship signage at the Festival. One Hospitality Suite pass for the day of the Festival. Two tickets to the sponsor reception on Wednesday, April 22 from 5-7 pm at the historic Southerland-Burnette House in Mount Olive.

Choose one of two NEW routes through picturesque Wayne County and beyond, with SAG stops throughout. All routes  (29 miles and a full metric century 100k/64 miles) are on hard surface country roads. Inline skaters welcome!

 

This year's event will include 3 fully stocked aid stations serving water, Gatorade, snacks, PB&J and of course, Mt. Olive Real DILL Pickle Juice!  There will be SAG support with a master mechanic, jars of pickles for every participant and commemorative t-shirts celebrating the 40th Annual NC Pickle Festival and Mt. Olive Pickle's 100th Anniversary!

 

The event is coordinated this year by The Salty Turtle Cycling Club (a huge thanks to Haydn Frost and The Salty Turtle Cycling Club!) and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City, NC.

 

After the ride, enjoy the North Carolina Pickle Festival, which runs in downtown Mount Olive until 6 p.m. Riders will have the option to catch a shuttle from the finish line to the festival downtown and will receive a $10 food truck voucher to redeem with participating vendors. For festival details, go to www.ncpicklefest.org.

If Peter Piper ate his weight in Mt. Olive pickles, how many Mt. Olive pickles did Peter Piper eat? 

 

It doesn't really matter, does it? We want to know how many Mt. Olive pickles can YOU eat, and how quickly can you eat them!  If you think you have what it takes to win, register here for a chance to be selected for the 2026 North Carolina Pickle Festival's Pickle Eating Contest! 

 

The Pickle Eating Contest takes place at our main stage area on Saturday, April 25th at noon. Up to 20 contestants will be accepted to participate. Contestants will be selected from this pre-registration only.

 

For the contest, each participant will receive a tray of Mt. Olive whole Kosher Dills. Each tray will contain 20 pickles. Participants will be given 5 minutes to eat as many as they can.  Prizes will be awarded to First Place and Runner Up, declared based on the number of pickles eaten. Partially eaten pickles will only be counted in the event of a tie. All decisions made by event judges are final. Winners will receive a trophy and a cash prize. In celebration of the NC Pickle Festival's 40th Anniversary, the First Place winner will also receive a year's supply of Mt. Olive pickles!