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Picklesburgh Returns For Its 6th Year This Weekend

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Pickle lovers are relishing the return of Picklesburgh in downtown Pittsburgh after it was canceled last year because of the pandemic.

"It's pickles, who doesn't love pickles?" said Theresa Wilbert.

There was a huge turnout for the first day of the event on Friday. The Andy Warhol Bridge and Fort Duquesne Boulevard were packed with thousands of people on Friday.

"It's great to see the Heinz balloon flying over the city and to welcome thousands of folks into the city," Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

Picklesburgh brings three days of all things pickled to the city.

"It's a deep-fried pickle with cheese in it," said Brittany Davis.

"I got a pickle on a stick and it's delicious," said Wilbert.

WATCH: KDKA's Bryant Reed Reports

The pickle event is marking its sixth year. It's helping businesses downtown and the vendors from other parts of the city. Many of the vendors lined up are local businesses.

"We have dozens of downtown restaurants, Strip District, North Shore, North Side. It really is a community celebration. Farmers from around the region have been pickling products all summer long," said Waldrup.

There are countless pickle dishes and goodies for people to try out, like fried pickles, pickle beer, chocolate-covered pickles, and pickle cotton candy.

"We've got our pickled cotton candy, pickle saltwater taffy, pickle soda made in Pittsburgh, and new this year to Pittsburgh: Kool-Aid pickles," said Christopher J. Beers, the owner of Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop.

There are also pickle juice chugging contests and 29 live musical performances. The pandemic put Pittsburgh business owners in a pickle so having Picklesburgh back this year is big deal for them.

WATCH: KDKA's Jessica Guay Reports

"Just look at the crowds here tonight, we are going to sell through so much inventory here today and just get to introduce our shop to people who don't know we're in the Strip District. It's so good to see people out and back and re-experiencing life again," said Beers.

Waldrup said this year, everything is more spread out and people who are not vaccinated must wear a mask.

"We've expanded the footprint by almost 50 percent, allowing for things to spread out more. You can actually get that selfie under the pickle without being crowded. We are also asking people to please get vaccinated so we can continue to have great community events like this," said Waldrup.

Picklesburgh continues Saturday noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

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