LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – Over the weekend, thousands of pickle lovers came together at the State Fair of West Virginia fairgrounds for the 2026 WV Picklefest.
The festival took place from Friday to Sunday and was a big milestone for Picklefest. First launched in 2018 as a way for local pickle enthusiasts and foodies to celebrate regional flavors, Picklefest began as a small gathering at local breweries but has quickly grown into a record-breaking weekend at the Maxwelton fairgrounds, featuring more vendors, live music, and family activities than ever.
Food remained the main draw, with vendors putting new twists on traditional fermentation. Visitors lined up for favorites such as the WV Pickle Guy, who offered spicy garlic spears and crunchy, bourbon barrel-aged pickles, and Lutzy’s Famous Pickles, known for their sweet and spicy bread-and-butter pickles. Other standout vendors included Mountain Mama Ferments, who debuted a tangy kimchi-infused dill, and Sweet Brine Sisters, admired for their creative pickled watermelon rinds and zesty relish.
Besides classic pickles, the festival featured unique treats like pickle pizza, chocolate dills, and freeze-dried chips. Greenbrier Valley Brewing and Hawk Knob offered special drinks, including a cucumber-habanero ale that sold out fast.
With extra space this year, the festival welcomed bigger musical acts. Volume Five headlined on Saturday and attracted a crowd of all ages.
Other performers included Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys, the LOS Swamp Monsters, Chandler Beavers, and Busted Dams.
This year, festival-goers could camp on-site for the first time, making Picklefest a real weekend getaway. The new Kids Zone, with activities like a pickle-themed scavenger hunt, cornhole toss, and a mini obstacle course, along with games and face painting, made it even more welcoming for families.
The festivities began Friday night with a pre-party at Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company, featuring performances by the Cheat Mountain Riders and PANTS. Their energy set the mood for the rest of the weekend, continuing through Saturday’s headliners and Sunday’s events.
This was the first year West Virginia Picklefest took place at the State Fair of West Virginia fairgrounds, showing how much the festival has grown. While final attendance numbers are still being counted, local officials report that hotels and restaurants were busier than usual. Brilliant Stream says this year’s WV Picklefest was the biggest yet, and it could have one of the largest economic impacts of any spring event in the Greenbrier Valley. Planning for the 2027 WV Picklefest has already started.
