Set for July 4 is the fourth annual Berrien Springs Pickle Festival.

Village of Berrien Springs community coordinator Kelly Ewalt tells us the Pickle Fest used to be held each summer decades ago, but it was put on hiatus in the 1990s. Four years ago, the decision was made to bring it back, and it’s been a big hit.

Things will be bigger this year.

“It’s only the fourth year we’ve done it, so we’re kind of learning as we go still, but we’re going to have the Pickle Fling and we’re going to have an even more expanded vendor area,” Ewalt said. “So, we’re looking for more craft vendors and obviously people that sell pickles, we want them. And we’re going to kind of tweak some of our games and activities for kids.”

Ewalt says popular events include the Pickle Fling, the relish eating contest, the Big Wheel races, and the pickle decorating contest.

“It’s good family fun. There’s just good family activities.”

Ewalt says people are still trying to beat the pickle throwing record of just under 300 feet that was set by a local baseball player in the 90s.

There will also be events leading up to the Pickle Festival, like the Pickle Fest Preview Weekend, a scavenger hunt, and the crowning of the pickle royalty the June 15. Nominations for Grand Dillmeister open May 5, and there will be a 5K June 16.

You can learn about Pickle Festival events at the festival’s Facebook page.