There’s loving pickles after which there’s actually loving pickles.
Alyssa Rossolille belongs within the latter class, which is why she was one in all roughly 5,000 who descended on Wrigleyville for Chicago Pickle Fest on Saturday.
“I drink pickle juice out of the jar,” stated Rossolille, 23, of Joliet, who’s in her “pickle period,” in response to the messaging on her shirt. “However I suppose I’ve by no means expanded what I put pickles on. I really feel like this [event] makes you do this.”
In the course of the fest, she tried pickle mac and cheese and pickle fries, which she topped with pickle ranch and drizzled with pickle juice.
“It made them somewhat soggy,” she stated of the fries. “In addition to that, they had been fairly good.”
Molly’s Cupcake sells pickle cupcakes at Previous Crow throughout Chicago Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
That was only a small portion of the eclectic, pickle-inspired menu on the third annual fest, which was basically a bar crawl. Organized by River North Fests, the occasion additionally featured DJs, stay bands, a pickle juice stein-hoisting competitors, photograph sales space and pickle karaoke (pickle-inspired lyrics had been inspired however not required).
As they hopped between a number of taking part institutions — most alongside North Clark Road — attendees embraced each a way of journey and a spirit of caprice.
“It’s a enjoyable day,” stated River North Fests founder Freddie Kole, who additionally has organized mustache crawls and doughnut fests. “Individuals need to be goofy and foolish.”
Kristin Wilson wears a necklace that resembles pickle slices and a headpiece that appears like a pickle exterior the Cubby Bear throughout Chicago Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
The wackiness prolonged to the apparel, which included official Pickle Fest T-shirts, pickle costumes, pickle hats, pickle earrings and pickle non permanent tattoos. One individual was noticed with a pickle jar-shaped purse. Two others wore matching shirts proclaiming, “pickles are nice till you’re in a single.”
A few of the most artistic dishes included pickle elote on a stick at Moe’s Cantina, a fruit roll-up-covered pickles at Previous Crow and Kool-Assist-infused pickles at Tin Roof. Molly’s Cupcakes additionally provided pickle desserts at a number of bars.
Chamoy fruit roll up pickles are on the market at Previous Crow throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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A mascot carrying a pickle costume entertains folks in line exterior The Cubby Bear throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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An individual wears a bag formed like a pickle jar exterior The Cubby Bear throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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Pickles coated in fruity pebbles are on the market at Previous Crow throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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Kate Davis (heart), who has attended Pickle Fest for 4 years, and her pal Annie Dima (left) pose with a pickle-shaped automobile exterior The Cubby Bear throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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Molly’s Cupcake sells pickle cupcakes at Previous Crow throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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Kristin Wilson wears a necklace that resembles pickle slices and a headpiece that appears like a pickle exterior The Cubby Bear throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Solar-Occasions
A bartender makes a whiskey pickle again shot at Previous Crow throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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Pickle elotes on a stick are on the market at Moe’s Cantina throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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An individual holds an inflatable pickle at Tin Roof throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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An individual wears pickle-themed pants at The Cubby Bear Chicago throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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Fried pickle nachos with melted cheese and sizzling Cheetos are on the market at Moe’s Cantina throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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A shot of whiskey in a pickle is on the market at Previous Crow throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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Individuals put on shirts that learn, “Pickles are nice till you’re in a single” close to Wrigley Discipline throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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Kool-Assist pickles and fried pickles with pickle aioli and chips are on the market at Tin Roof throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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Donna’s pickle beer cans are on the market at The Cubby Bear Chicago throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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An individual holds an inflatable pickle and a drink at Tin Roof throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
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An individual dressed as a pickle talks to pals at Tin Roof throughout Pickle Fest in Wrigleyville on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Solar-Occasions
These searching for barely extra affordable fare may take pleasure in pickle pizza, pickle nachos or fried pickle chips.
Drinks included pickle beer, pickle margaritas and a pickle again shot, which is whiskey chased with pickle juice. Patrons may additionally take pictures proper out of a pickle.
“We at all times need extra loopy stuff,” Kole stated of the menu.
Kerrigan Hagi stated she was cautiously eyeing a pickle Shirley Temple.
“We at all times catch a vibe right here,” stated Hagi, 24, of Ottawa, who visited the fest final 12 months. “It’s a enjoyable environment.”
Kerrigan Hagi wears a pickle-themed earring and exhibits her tattoo on the Cubby Bear.
Attending for the primary time was Vicki Tudor, 34, who was accompanied by her sister, Emily, 24, a content material creator who promoted the event on social media.
“I’m trying ahead to numerous pickle pictures and experiencing as a lot pickle insanity as I can deal with,” stated Vicki Tudor, who lives in Lombard.
Emily Tudor stated she hoped to hit at the least 5 bars.
“However that’s type of bold,” she stated.
Vicki Tudor wears a stuffed pickle on her head on the Cubby Bear throughout Chicago Pickle Fest.
Each sisters praised the town’s social scene.
“Chicago is the best metropolis on Earth, and I completely love being right here,” Emily Tudor stated. “We at all times have so many wonderful, cool and enjoyable issues happening, and Pickle Fest is only one instance of that.”
