Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect the correct date of the New Braunfels event.

Founded by Krystal Wertman in 2019, In a Pickle Festival is a family-friendly festival featuring over 100 vendors with pickle-themed items, free pickle samples from 30 food vendors, pickle-themed contests, live music and a pet parade.

The festival was initiated as an effort to bring the “liveliness” of Kingwood back to the community after Hurricane Harvey and to support the nonprofit Hunter Syndrome Foundation, Wertman said. The nonprofit funds research, supports families and raises awareness of the Hunter Syndrome disease.

Free parking will be available in business lots around the Kingwood Town Center Park, however, Wertman said she recommends festival attendees arrive early or take a Lyft or Uber to the festival.
The 5th annual In a Pickle Festival is taking place on Sept. 7. (Courtesy In a Pickle Festival)
The fifth annual In a Pickle Festival is taking place on Sept. 7. (Courtesy In a Pickle Festival)
The backstory

As the founder of the Lake Houston Farmers Market, Wertman said she organized vendors to start a festival that would bring the Kingwood community together after losing customers after Hurricane Harvey.


Though the festival took a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, the In a Pickle Festival has become a popular annual event within the Kingwood community, Wertman said. The growing event has plans to expand with a second location in New Braunfels at the Comal County Fairgrounds and will take place on March 15, 2025 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
In a Pickle Festival features several contest with cash prizes and trophy's for the top contestants. (Courtesy In a Pickle Festival)
In a Pickle Festival features several contests with cash prizes and trophies for the top contestants. (Courtesy In a Pickle Festival)
What to expect

At the fifth annual In a Pickle Festival, people can expect over 100 food vendors with both pickle-themed items and food options including pizza, burgers, fried chicken, popcorn and lemonade.

The festival is known for its pickle-themed food, drinks and snacks, including:
  • Pickle pizza
  • Chamoy pickles
  • Pickle ice cream
  • Freeze-dried pickles
  • Pickle lemonade
  • Pickle salsa
  • Pickle ranch
  • Pickle marshmallows
  • Pickle dog treats
  • Pickle cotton candy
  • Pickle beer
Some vendors that will be in attendance this year include Foreign Policy, which will be offering loaded fried pickles; Refill Station Pizza; The Cake Pop Wagon; and the Pica Queen.

The festival will also include a pickle coloring contest, a pickle juice contest, a pickle eating contest, a home canning pickle contest and a stein-holding contest.


Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to the top contestants. Anyone interested in signing up for a contest can email Wertman at [email protected].