Everybody's Pickling... I Can't Hear a Word You're Saying
Hosted by the NY Food Museum and the Lower East Side Business Improvement District, the Eighth Annual International Pickle Day takes place this Sunday on Orchard Street, rain or brine. Pickled things play a storied part in the last 400 years of Manhattan history, beginning when the island was “home to the world’s largest pickle industry” in the 17th century, and pickle barrels grew on trees.
Local talent at this year’s festival includes LES pickle stalwart Guss’, as well as the Big Three half-sour upstarts: Wheelhouse, Rick’s Picks, and McClure’s. Hauling mason jars from upstate is the exceptional Grey Mouse Farm; from Long Island comes newcomer Horman’s Best. Also making their debut is the collective of “young Jewish farmers” from Adamah, whose offerings include kosher kimchi. Roni-Sue’s chocolates will be on hand with a treat whose name contains two words that probably shouldn’t be placed together: “Pickle Truffle.”
In addition to tons of free pickles and pickle paraphernalia, this year’s festival also features canning demos, a “pickle science” event, and the space agey-sounding “multimedia tent for online pickle research.” Miscellaneous entertainment includes Shakespeare in the Park(ing lot), starting at 3 pm; the Festival provides free valet parking for bicycles all day. Lines are notoriously long, so get there early.
Sunday (September 14th) // 11 a.m-4:30 p.m. // Orchard Street (btw. Broome and Grand) // Free
Photo: Mr. Pickle loading dock at the Brooklyn Terminal Market, by Tejal Rao.
