PHOTO: PITTSBURGH DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP

For three years in a row, USA Today has crowned Picklesburgh the best specialty food festival in America, so it’s no wonder that more people flock to this pickle paradise every summer.

After crowds at last year’s festival on the Rachel Carson Bridge and 10th Street Bypass grew 65% from the year before, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership decided a larger venue was needed this year. So it’s goodbye Allegheny Riverfront and hello Boulevard of the Allies. 

The new blueprint will offer even more space for people and activities, stretching three blocks along the Boulevard of the Allies, from Stanwix to Smithfield streets and along Market Street into PPG Plaza. It will still provide live entertainment all weekend long, a kids’ play area and the return of the Pickle Juice Drinking Contest.

The signature 35-foot Heinz pickle balloon will fly high above PPG Plaza from July 21-23 Stay tuned for more details from the PDP coming soon, including “additional components and surprises for the festival, along with specifics about programming, performers and vendors at this year’s event.”