Rosendale

20 years of Pickle Fest!

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The 20th Annual International Pickle Festival takes place this year from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, rain or shine, at the Rosendale Recreation Center, 1055 Route 32, Rosendale. 

There are over 100 pickle and food vendors, souvenirs, pickle judging, contests, live performances, dancing and prizes. Sponsored by the Rosendale Chamber of Commerce, the International Pickle Festival has grown exponentially every year since 1998 when organizers Bill and Cathy Brooks started the event.

The Brooks duo put together the first Pickle Fest in just 60 days after their friend, Eri Yamaguchi, said she wanted to have a “pickle party.”

“We did it for people to have fun and introduce them to a whole new realm of things pickled, pickling spices, and all things pickled,” said Bill. “With the support of the Rosendale Chamber of Commerce we have helped expand people’s culinary horizons along with exhibitions of international cultures and customs through the simple, but alluring PICKLE!”

Now more 5,000 people attend Pickle Fest each year. “One hundred percent of the money raised goes back into the community,” said Bill. “Some beneficiaries of the Pickle Festival have included the Rosendale Youth Center, Little League, library, theater, swimming pool, college scholarships, Toys for Tots, and much more. The money is there when the need comes.”

Each year, the festival is run by the board members of the Rosendale Chamber of Commerce and a myriad of volunteers. Admission is $5 per person, kids are free, and pets are not permitted. For more information, call 845-204-8827, email rosendalepicklefest@gmail.com or visit rosendalechamber.org.