Pickle lovers enjoy food, fun at Kenny Stehr and Sons Farm in Pitman

Hyun Soo Lee, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·3 min read

Jul. 8—PITMAN — Pickles of all varieties — jarred, plain, fried and even blended in milkshakes — were the focus of an expansive event Saturday at Kenny Stehr and Sons Farm.

The farm held its third Pickle Festival, a daylong celebration featuring fresh food, produce, drinks, entertainment and vendors.

Centered on the pickle, as July is National Pickle Month, the festival is one of several events the farm hosts year-round to support local produce and businesses.

Hundreds of people packed the premises on the warm, sunny Saturday to check out myriad pickle-themed dishes and activities.

The farm offered a large selection of locally grown pickles and other produce at the farmers' market, while other food stands served pickles in different forms and combinations. Customers helped themselves to pickle ice cream and lemonade, pickle bread, pickled salsa and pickle chips, among other delicacies.

Jake Hall, of Frackville, ordered a pickle pop and a pickle-on-a-stick from the ice cream stand. Although he had visited the farm before, he had never attended its Pickle Festival and was pleasantly surprised.

"I love pickles," said Sarah Wagner, of Ashland, who accompanied Hall. "I always wanted to go to the (Picklesburgh) in Pittsburgh, that huge pickle fest that they have."

Summer Stehr, farm manager, said many of Kenny Stehr and Sons' festivals are dedicated to a particular fruit that is in season. The farm held its Strawberry Festival in June, while similar events themed after peaches, apples, fall and Christmas will complete its lineup of events for the year.

"We started our festivals in 2020, during COVID, to help out all of the other small businesses in our area," Stehr said. "So, not only do we work hard to have all of the pickle things, but we bring in about 30 small businesses and vendors so that they can set up and sell their items as well. ... We really want to support shopping local."

Jane Godbout and her son, Tim Godbout, both of Pottsville, bought a jar of dill pickles at the market.

Jane, who favors sweet pickles, said she and her family enjoy them with various dishes, including on sandwiches.

Her first visit to Kenny Stehr and Sons was during last month's Strawberry Festival, and she looks forward to attending more events.

"I love it," she said. "I first heard about it last month. ... I'm addicted to this now. There was some good food, good fun."

Jess Gonzalez, sales associate, said the varieties of pickles for sale included hot garlic, seven-day, bread-and-butter and dill, in addition to plain cucumbers.

"I love them," she said. "I've worked here for a while, so I'm pretty loyal to their produce and everything. You really can't go wrong. It's always quality stuff."

Aside from the farm's own setups, the event featured several local food and drink vendors, including Appetite Satisfaction, a Frackville-based food truck; Red Shale Ridge Vineyards, a Hegins winery; and Jack Azz Distilling LLC, a microdistillery in Spring Glen.

There were also local crafts vendors, a pickleball setup, a petting zoo and a playground for kids.

Visitors enjoyed a soothing backdrop of live music from local bands Leo, Scott & Dale and Randy Wehry & Friends.

Looking ahead, Kenny Stehr and Sons' next event, the Peach Festival, is set for Aug. 12.

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085