Mark your calendars and grab your pickle-loving crew—Texarkana is about to host a festival that’s equal parts quirky, tasty, and downright fun. The Inaugural Texarkana Pickle Fest hits Front Street Festival Plaza in downtown Texarkana, Arkansas, on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. And here’s the kicker: admission and parking are completely FREE.
A Pickle Paradise
If you can pickle it, fry it, wrap it in cotton candy, or chase it with a “pickle back,” you’ll find it here. Expect more than 75 vendors and 10 food trucks serving up everything from deep-fried pickles and pickle egg rolls to ice-cold drinks and festival favorites. For the non-pickle crowd (yes, we see you), there will be plenty of other food options too.
Live Music & Entertainment
The Genesis PrimeCare & Fat Jacks Sports Bar Live Music Stage will host three acoustic sets throughout the day—think toe-tapping tunes hotter than a jalapeño in a pickle jar. Add in contests, dancing, and plenty of people-watching, and you’ve got the makings of a lively downtown celebration.
Competitions with a Crunch
Pickle Fest isn’t just about eating—it’s about showing your skills (and maybe your stamina). This year’s contests include:
- Pickle Pet Parade & Costume Contest – dress your four-legged friends in their finest pickle attire.
- “Pickle Your Pickle” Canning Competition – show off your brining talents.
- Pickle Juice Drinking Contest – not for the faint of heart.
- Pickle Juice Stein-Holding Contest – see who can hold their brine the longest.
Family-Friendly Fun
Bring the kids to the Sweet Pickle Patch Tent for coloring, face painting, and activities sponsored by Signature Care ER and the ArkLaTex Adventure Club. And don’t forget the photo ops—snap a picture with festival mascots Dill’Lyla and Dillon or with Paddy the Pickle at the main stage.
Raise a Glass
Adults can cool off in the Wild Hare Beer Garden, a dedicated space to enjoy local brews and relax between rounds of pickle snacking.
Why You Don’t Want to Miss It
Organizers expect more than 3,000 visitors to pack downtown for this one-of-a-kind celebration. Whether you’re chasing pickle-flavored cotton candy, hunting for pickle-themed treasures, or just looking for a fun, free day out, this event promises to be a big dill.
Quick Guide: Texarkana Pickle Fest
When: Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Front Street Festival Plaza, 101 Crockett St., Texarkana, AR
Cost: FREE admission + FREE parking
What to Expect:
- 75+ vendors & 10 food trucks
- Pickle foods galore: fried pickles, pickle egg rolls, cotton candy-wrapped pickles & more
- Live acoustic music all day
- The Wild Hare Beer Garden
- Family fun at the Sweet Pickle Patch kids’ tent
- Photo ops with Paddy the Pickle + mascots Dill’Lyla & Dillon
Contests & Competitions:
- Pickle Pet Parade & Costume Contest
- “Pickle Your Pickle” Canning Contest
- Pickle Juice Drinking Contest
- Pickle Juice Stein-Holding Contest
Insider Tip: Bring your walking shoes—downtown parking is free, but you may need to stroll a block or two to reach the action.
