St. Charles’ Pottawatomie Park hosts Pickle Paradise celebration on Friday

St. Charles community members are invited to the first Pickle Paradise event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 21 in Pottawatomie Park.

The free event will feature activities and games for all ages, a fun run, an assortment of pickled products, a pickleball tournament, music and entertainment.

The Pickle Patch will be open to guests of all ages and will feature an assortment of pickle-related products and merchandise from local businesses and vendors for guests to sample and buy. Tickets to the Pickle Patch are required for those 2 and older and will cost $5 each.

Pickleball and more

Guests ages 3 and older can take part in the Dill Dash, a one-mile run along the park’s paved sidewalks, stairs and gravel. The run will begin at 5:30 p.m. Participants should register in advance on the St. Charles Park District website. Registration costs $24 a person. Racers will be able to grab a gherkin along the route.

Adults 18 and older can enter the Big Dill Tournament of mixed doubles pickleball games from 4 to 6 p.m. The tournament is geared toward intermediate and competitive players who will each play five games and receive an event T-shirt. The top three finishers will receive awards. Registration for the Big Dill Tournament costs $50 a team for residents and $60 a team for nonresidents. Register on the park district’s website.

Those who take part in the Dill Dash or Big Dill Tournament will receive entry into the Pickle Patch.

Proceeds will benefit the St. Charles Park District’s financial aid program to help provide recreational experiences for all.

Food trucks

Guests 21 and older can reserve wristbands for the Dilly Delights section. Caputo’s food truck will be on-site serving food. Pollyanna and Riverlands Brewing companies will be serving pickle-inspired drinks.

Wristbands can be bought in advance on the park district’s website. A valid ID will be required for entry.

Pickle leader

Hosted by the St. Charles Park District, Pickle Paradise honors the fact that St. Charles is recognized as the Pickle Capital of the World.

According to records from the St. Charles History Museum, the moniker was first given to the city unofficially in the 1960s by president of Pickle Packers International Bill “The Dill” Moore after he moved the company to St. Charles.

The Illinois General Assembly made the title official in 1978, and although Pickle Packers International now operates out of Washington, D.C., St. Charles has remained the Pickle Capital of the World for more than 40 years.

“We are just so dill-lighted to host this community event on a summer night for family and friends to just come out and celebrate with us,” assistant superintendent of recreation Taylor Krawczyk said in a news release. “Join us in the park for DJ entertainment, trivia from the St. Charles History Museum, a pickling conversation with Primrose Farm and, of course, many pickle puns and selfie opportunities.”

To buy tickets or for more information, visit stcparks.org/events or call Krawczyk at 630-513-4337.