Columbus Clippers Host Pickle Palooza Food Festival at Huntington Park June 27

Huntington Park is trading baseballs for brine this summer. The Columbus Clippers announced on March 12 that their Arena District home will host the Pickle Palooza Food & Drink Festival on Saturday, June 27, running from 5 to 10 p.m.

The festival is produced by Outlier Events, the Columbus-based company behind Ohio's Mac and Cheese Fest, Taco & Tequila Fest, and the Donut & Beer Festival. Founder Brian Colopy is betting Columbus matches the energy of the tour's first stop. The inaugural Pickle Palooza at LMCU Ballpark in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 2 sold out in three hours. "The response to our inaugural Pickle Palooza was incredible, resulting in a completely sold-out event in three hours," Colopy said. "Huntington Park and Columbus will have the same energy. Our goal is to recreate that magic for the Columbus community and make this another sell-out success for pickle fans and craft-beer enthusiasts alike."

Organizers are already urging anyone interested to join the Priority List at picklepaloozafoodanddrinkfest.com before tickets go on sale to the general public. Each general admission ticket includes sampling tokens, a commemorative lanyard, and a tasting cup. VIP and platinum tiers will offer early entry.

The menu leans hard into the theme. Vendors will offer fried pickles, pickle pizza, a Dilly Cheesesteak, Walka-Dillo, Dilled Cheese, pickle-flavored drinks, liquors, sodas, and pickle candy and snacks. Beverage sampling, covering craft beer, cider, cocktails, and nonalcoholic options, is token-based and included with admission.

Entertainment goes well beyond the standard food festival playbook. The lineup includes DJ Dilly, Dueling Pianos, and tribute bands across multiple stages. For the more adventurous, there is a Mechanical Pickle ride, a Brine Chugging Contest, a Pickle Eating Contest, a Pickle Photo Booth, and Micro Wrestling. Ticket prices had not been publicly announced as of this writing. Additional details on vendors, act schedules, and on-sale timing are available through the Priority List at picklepaloozafoodanddrinkfest.com.