Franklin Square had a weekend where the humble pickle was the main character, with Plattduetsche Park turning its biergarten into a two-day celebration of tart snacks, pickle-packed drinks and some surprisingly ambitious festival food. By the time the last pickle sandwich disappeared, the event had started looking less like a novelty and more like a summer tradition.
The second annual Picklefest featured pickle flights, live entertainment and a menu that pushed the theme from savory bites into cocktails and desserts, according to the Plattduetsche Park event listing. The festival ran last Friday and Saturday with an $8 cover charge, while the venue promoted pickle flights as one of its signature attractions.
Herald Community Newspapers reported that hundreds of visitors came through the Franklin Square venue. Guests sampled Cajun, bread-and-butter, kosher and sweet-mustard pickle flights, along with potato pancakes, pickle pizza, frozen pickle cocktails and pickle-themed desserts.
Pickle Pizza And Giant Pickle Sandwiches Led The Menu
Some of the more unusual offerings included pickle sandwiches that used giant pickles in place of bread, plus a pickle pizza topped with sliced pickles, pickle seasoning and pickle aioli. The event also expanded its dessert lineup, giving the festival a sweeter finish than its name might suggest.
Jennifer Sargent, Plattduetsche Park's press and marketing consultant, told the Herald that last year's response encouraged organizers to expand the festival. Manager Matthew Buck said the pickle pizza was one of the weekend's biggest hits, while new vendor Sweet Life Bakery helped create the expanded dessert menu.
Picklefest also fits into Plattduetsche Park's broader effort to use themed events to stretch beyond its traditional German menu. The venue's festival calendar lists German heritage celebrations alongside food-focused events such as Picklefest and Bacon Mac & Cheese Fest.
Franklin Square's Next Food Festival Is Berry-Themed
The next culinary experiment arrives next weekend with the inaugural Berry Good Time Carnival at Plattduetsche Park. According to the official event page, the carnival starts at 1 p.m. next Saturday and noon Sunday, with berry-inspired food, frozen drinks, chocolate-dipped treats, desserts, family activities and an $8 cover charge.
For a venue best known for bratwurst, beer and German festival traditions, Franklin Square's summer calendar is becoming a lot more adventurous. The pickle may have opened the door, but berries are already waiting in the doorway.
