Thousands attend annual North Carolina Pickle Festival
By Steve Herring
Published in News on April 30, 2017 12:20 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
The Beach family, from left: Mariah 14, Debbie, Lindsey Snider, Maleah, 11, and Mackenzie, 12, all enjoying Mt. Olive dill pickles Saturday at the North Carolina Pickle Festival.
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Hayden Waller, 8, Carson Barwick, 9, and Landon Davis, 10, ride the Cliff Hanger at the North Carolina Pickle Festival in Mount Olive on Saturday.
MOUNT OLIVE -- Mohammed Fakhri could not sleep Friday night.
He could not sleep because he knew that the Saturday morning ride from his home in Goldsboro to the North Carolina Pickle Festival would signal the end of a journey.
The journey started 10 years ago when he fled his native Iraq. It took him from his home in Baghdad to a refugee camp in Lebanon to Idaho and finally to Goldsboro, where he has friends.
It ended Saturday morning when he and 10 other people representing 15 counties became U.S. citizens during the festival fourth annual naturalization ceremony.
"It is exciting," he said. "I have been awaiting this moment for a long time. I am calling my family. I am calling my friends, 'I got it today, finally.'"
One of the first things the new citizen did was to join the tens of thousands of others who packed into downtown Mount Olive for the 31st annual North Carolina Pickle Festival sponsored by the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce.
Festivalgoers could try their hand at milking a cow, dancing with mascots, riding the Pickle Train and, of course, sampling free Mt. Olive Pickle Co. pickles.
There were carnival rides for children, who also had their own area sponsored by Girl Scout Troop 389.
Children and adults alike enjoyed a petty zoo and a chance to ride a camel.
Bargains could be found at the Friends of Steele Memorial Library book sale and festivalgoers could stroll through the nearly 200 cars in the Carolina Cruisers' car show.
And while pickles were the flavor of the day, the second annual chili cookoff offered up a different taste.
A highlight was the mascots' race. Before the race started the mascots were mingling with and dancing with some festivalgovers.
Three blocks of Center Street were lined on both sides with vendors selling just about any kind of food a person could want.
There plenty of arts and crafts booths including the second annual Artisan Village where shoppers could browse among products offered by local artisans.
Three stages provided a variety of entertainment, all frees, throughout the day.
And no pickle festival would be complete without a pickle-eating contest. The winner downed nine and a half kosher dills in five minutes.
The festival actually got underway downtown Friday night with a free concert by Snow-Hill based Dakota Blue.
It was a new format for Friday night's events. In the past the concert has been held at the town's airport.
The Cuke Patch 5k that normally held during Saturday's full day of events was held Friday night as well, but as a glo run.
Nearly 100 runners participated.
"I think they had a blast, and they liked it at night because it is not so hot," said Lynn Williams, festival co-chairman. "The concert went well. We had a good crowd downtown.
"I think people just enjoyed hanging out and listening to the music. We were really pleased with how things went last night."
Ribeyes offered a beer garden, which was popular, Mrs. Williams said.
Both Mrs. Williams and Co-chair Julie Beck say they think the revamped Friday night will return next year.
Unlike last year when rain and cooler temperatures prevailed, Saturday was sunny and hot with the temperature climbing into the low 90s.
Many people took advantage of what shade was available to eat their Pickle Festival fare or seek relief from the sun.
But even the heat did not keep festivalgoers from packing into downtown.
Robert Faison and Joy Melton of Faison squeezed into the shade offered by a trailer as they watched the Mount Olive Parks and Recreation Pickle Train.
They were babysitting the son of a friend who was working at the Mt. Olive Pickle Co. booth.
Faison said he had not missed a Pickle Festival since it started.
"We are just looking and trying to stay out of the heat," he said. "But it is OK, though."
Ms. Melton said the food is her favorite part of the festival, especially funnel cakes.
Faison said he likes the atmosphere and the people.
"It is family oriented where everybody can come together and just hang out and enjoy themselves," he said. "That is what it is all about, for the kids really.
"There is food, whatever you want. It is good that they do it every year. You can't ask for any better. It is something to do and get out of the house with your family every year just to enjoy yourself. It is crowded, but that is what makes the Pickle Festival."
Faison said he wanted to walk through the car show again as they continued to walk and sightsee.
The festival offered Rilley Powell, 9, of Mount Olive, a chance to do something she had never done before -- milk a real cow.
It took a few false starts before Rilley got the milk flowing.
"I have never milked a cow," she said after getting up from the milking stool. "I love milk. I was scared. I thought it was going to kick me, and I was really scared.
"It felt like when you crumble a piece of paper. It felt like that, but it was softer."
Rilley said she planned to tell all of her classmates at North Duplin Elementary School at Calypso about the experience.
Rilley said she had never thought about milking a cow.
"I would do it again," she said.