PHOTOS: Picklesburgh, Day 1
Festival-goers had fun, despite wildfire smoke creating unsafe conditions in Pittsburgh
By Christopher Flowers
Before we start with anything, I want to state that it is not safe to be outside right now. Pennsylvania declared a Code Purple air quality alert for Friday.
Read through this section about smoke safety, then make an informed decision about whether or not you want to participate in this year’s Picklesburgh festival. It will be there next year if you decide to stay home in 2026.
From Pennsylvania’s Code Purple alert:
Residents are strongly encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for current conditions in their area. Current local conditions could be more severe (Code Maroon) or less severe (Code Red or Code Orange) depending on your location at any given time. Residents should make informed decisions on their outdoor activity based on the conditions at the time.
During Code Purple Air Quality Alerts all residents should avoid long or intense outdoor activities, and sensitive groups such as children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory illnesses should avoid all outdoor activities. All residents are encouraged to move activities indoors.
Why is this happening? NBC News explains that smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota “is engulfing large swaths of the Midwest and Northeast U.S. this week, impacting air quality as millions of people are exposed to hazardous levels of air pollution.”
Don’t forget:
“If we keep being exposed to this level of air pollution over time, that increases our risks down the road for developing chronic health conditions,” Dr. Alexander Azan, an assistant professor of population health and medicine at NYU Langone Health, told CBS News.
Additional reading:
How does air quality affect our health? Doctors explain the potential impacts (NBC News)
Wildfire smoke kills tens of thousands of people a year. Here’s how it attacks the body (the Associated Press)
Timelapse video shows World Cup final stadium blanketed in smoke from Canada wildfires (the Independent)
FACT SHEET: Climate change and wildfires (Canadian Climate Institute)
Poor air quality leads to cancellation of Pittsburgh’s America’s Mile event (WTAE)
On Thursday, there was a vague haze over everything, but the heat subsided and a breeze cooled things down as the evening progressed. The temperature was in the high 80s on Thursday afternoon and will be on Friday. Rain is expected over the weekend; not sure if it’s enough to put a damper in plans, but it will drop temperatures to the low 80s.
If you didn’t catch the preview:
Scenes from Day 1
From WPXI:
PITTSBURGH — Day one of Picklesburgh 2026 went on as planned despite the smoke and haze from Canadian wildfires that blanketed the region.
Thousands of people flocked to Downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore for all things pickle.
“We’re selling smoked pickles, today,” one vendor joked.
We spoke to a number of people. They told us they were doing fine so far.
“Getting a little smoked out but it’s all good,” Stanley Ference of Sewickley said.
“Not too bad. There’s a wind going,” Alicia Trucco said. Despite the heat and smoke, she was dressed as a pickle.
Vendors said they were being careful.
“I’m an old guy but I’m dealing with it okay. We’re making sure everybody is hydrating and taking breaks,” Tom Petrone of “I’Dill Pickle said.
Dill-Cathlon Games
From Healthline:
Drinking pickle juice might sound gross, but there are several reasons to consider it. It is hydrating and may help with muscle cramps, blood sugar, and gut health, among other benefits.
Athletes have been sipping this briny beverage for years. Experts didn’t know why pickle juice was good to drink after exercising. They just knew that it seemed to help relieve cramps.
They were right. It appears to help with muscle cramps, plus more.
Pickles on the menu
From CBS News:
Several Pittsburgh institutions will debut special creations for this year’s festival. Iron City Beer has created a pickle-flavored IC Light, Turner’s Tea is making pickled iced tea and Mancini’s is serving up rolls with pickles.
There will be 55 vendors selling food, and more than a dozen Downtown businesses like Alta Via, Howl at the Moon, City Works, Primanti Bros. and The Yard will offer special pickle menu items.
Pickle riding takes skill
From Buckinwild dot com, we know that mechanical bulls have been around since the 1930s. The device was popularized on a mainstream level by the film Urban Cowboy, starring John Travolta.
More from Buckinwild:
A mechanical bull may look somewhat soft, but underneath all that padding is steel that has been welded together. All mechanical bulls begin their journey in a welding shop. A frame is created by cutting steel and welding pieces together. Afterward, the main mechanics are attached. The center shaft and main gearbox form the spin motor. Then, a second motor and the pitch and roll arms create the buck. After wiring has been established, the entire bull is covered in padded material.
If you have experience riding a mechanical bull, you know that it’s not as easy as it seems. Proper form can help you remain on the bull longer. It starts by holding on to the bull as close to the head as you can. Grip the sides of the bull tightly with your inner thighs. Once the mechanical bull starts moving, keep your focus on the bull’s head. Doing so will help you maintain balance and help you indicate directional changes. Lastly, adjust your body as the mechanical bull moves.
That lady in the photo at the top, how’d she do? Watch for yourself:
Be safe & stay hydrated
From WTAE:
Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, which organizes Picklesburgh, said his team is closely monitoring the air quality and heat. “We’re monitoring the wildfires and making sure the people stay safe and talking to public safety and public health folks about that,” he said.
“We’ll be here with EMS and anyone else that needs assistance. We’re here for you,” Waldrup added.
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership also released a statement emphasizing their commitment to safety, noting that the festival space includes misting stations, shaded areas, and on-site medical personnel to help attendees stay comfortable.
. . .