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TEANECK

New Jersey hosts its first ‘Pickle Palooza’ in Teaneck

Stephanie Noda
NorthJersey.com

Updated April 26, 2026, 7:56 p.m. ET

Rainy weather was “no big dill” for hundreds of visitors to Teaneck on Saturday, April 25, for the state’s first official pickle festival.

From noon until 7 p.m., Pickle Palooza took center stage at the Teaneck Armory, inviting people to try various pickle-themed foods and sharing their pickle-inspired outfits. The gathering was run by MegaBite Events, a company that offers food, music and specialty festivals across New Jersey and New York, and sponsored by The Original Pickle Shot Vodka and New Jersey Lottery.

“The festival world is kind of saturated, so we decided to do things that are unique and stand out, like Pickle Palooza,” said Howard Rosenblatt, CEO of MegaBite Events. “It taps into people’s passions; everyone has a passion for some type of food.”

People dressed in their favorite pickle hats, shirts and even full-body pickle costumes shook off the inclement weather to visit food vendors while listening to live music. They lined up for all-natural pickle juice, pickles on a stick, pickle lemonade, pickle chips and even pickle-dipped macaroons.

The rain may have stopped a Family Fun Zone play area for kids and a parade, but visitors were happy to spend the day trying the unique offerings from the vendors. There were 14 pickle stands, food trucks and tables selling crafts and merchandise.

“The lines are so long, and the turnout was so great,” Rosenblatt said.

He said he was “beyond amazed” at how many people decided to come to the event in the rain. His company sold more than 2,000 tickets in advance despite the weather forecast.

Rosenblatt wanted to do a pickle festival for three years and decided this was the year to make it happen, to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the country and the FIFA World Cup coming to the state this summer.

“What better year than this year to introduce a brand-new festival like this?” he said.

One visitor, Susan Tassy of Bogota, went all out: a pickle suit, green socks, a small pickle plush dog toy pinned to her outfit and a green wig. For her, it wasn’t just a day to dress up but a chance to try pickles in new ways.

“I just really like pickles a lot,” Tassy said. “I thought it was an interesting, fun event.”

Hannah Frankenfield, who drinks a shot of pickle juice every morning before going to the gym, traveled from Bangor, Pennsylvania, to attend. It was no surprise to learn she is passionate about the food, as she was clad in a full pickle suit and wore pickle socks.

“I just love the different flavors,” she said. “I’m a big fan of Claussen pickles.”

This isn’t the last time Rosenblatt plans to bring Pickle Palooza to the region. He’s looking to offer an indoor version during wintertime called “Pickle Palooza on Ice” somewhere in Bergen County. He also wants to bring the palooza to Burlington County during the summertime.

“Food brings people together,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re left, right or middle. Everyone loves food, and we get to celebrate it together.”