PHOTO COURTESY DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH PARTNERSHIP

Now in its 10th year, the annual Picklesburgh festival taking place July 11-13 is turning into an even bigger dill.

The popular festival will debut with an expanded footprint that spans two of Pittsburgh’s iconic Sister Bridges, Allegheny Landing, Fort Duquesne Boulevard, PPG Plaza, Market Square, Sixth Street and the Heinz Hall Garden when it returns Downtown this summer, according to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

Started in 2015, the quirky regional celebration offering pickle-themed food, merchandise, contests and entertainment has morphed into a nationally recognized economic driver for the city.

COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP

Last year alone, Picklesburgh attracted more than 250,000 attendees to the city. It also has been named the winner of USA Today’s Readers Choice Award for “Best Specialty Food Festival” four times.

“Picklesburgh brings tens of thousands of people to Downtown each year, and has raised Pittsburgh’s profile as a summer destination,” Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, says in a statement. “With this expanded footprint, featuring two of our city’s most iconic bridges and beautiful PPG Plaza, we can’t wait to ‘DILL-iver’ the best festival experience possible. As a signature event for Pittsburgh and the region, with fans from near and far, it’s exciting to see the festival continue to grow and evolve.”

PHOTO COURTESY DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH PARTNERSHIP

Downtown hotel occupancy rose by 27% during last summer’s festivities, according to VisitPittsburgh. Vendor participation has also grown by 114% since 2015 and includes dozens of independent, local businesses with one-of-a-kind offerings created specifically for the event.

While the Kraft Heinz-sponsored festival has continued to grow and evolve, some traditions never change. The recognizable Giant Pickle balloon, which bears the Kraft Heinz logo, will once again soar over the Sixth Street Bridge during Picklesburgh.