Registration for Picklesburgh 'Dill-cathlon' opens Monday

Are you ready to let the games begin at this year’s Picklesburgh?

Starting Monday, peckish pickle lovers all over the region will be able to register for events in this year’s “Dill-cathlon.” Picklesburgh will take place from July 11-13 in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Believe it or not, this is the 10th year of the mega-popular annual festival. This year, it was voted Best Specialty Food Festival by the readers of USA Today. A quarter of a million people attended Picklesburgh in 2024, and the footprint is even bigger this year, according to a release from the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

The Dill-cathlon contests will take place throughout the weekend in PPG Plaza.

The pickle juice-drinking contest is a mainstay of the festival. Those thirsty for brine — and glory — will need to chug 32 ounces of pickle brine from Pittsburgh Pickle Company the fastest in their round, and then again in the Sunday championship round.

The pickle-eating contest will put a mound of pickles before the contestants and have them eat as many as they can (by weight) in four minutes. Once again, the champ will have to win their round, as well as the finals.

The Bobbing for Pickles contest will give each contestant 90 seconds to use only their mouth to retrieve the most pickles by weight. As you may have guessed, each hopeful will participate in a preliminary round before bobbing their way to the finals.

Earlier rounds for each contest will be held on Friday and Saturday, with the final rounds on Sunday. The grand champion of each contest will receive $500.

The pickle juice drinking contest has even been popular enough in past years to attract celebrity guests such as Kato Kaelin. Will the trio of competitions be even more contentious this year?

In addition to the contests, the festival will also offer pickles in any form you can imagine, plus pickle-related and themed items for sale, demonstrations and other live entertainment.

Those wishing to register for any of the three contest categories can visit Picklesburgh.com. Registration will open at noon on Monday, June 16.