Friends of First Fridays, make sure you’ve still got sunblock—August is approaching. Prepare yourself for a First Fridays extravaganza celebrating summertime and all things Pickled!
The Downtown Goshen, Inc. Picklefest—August 2 from 5-9 p.m.—presents the spectacle of a citywide pickleball tournament on Main Street, specialty pickled foods and treats, and live entertainment from the Miller Poultry Main Stage headlined by acclaimed South Bend rapper Heyzeus.
A selection of activities for kids are in the mix for this unique First Fridays offering, and participating downtown merchants open their doors throughout the evening for promotions and family-friendly, in-store events. Goshen’s downtown eateries provide delicious meals featuring an exciting and unusual selection of pickled delights, and the First Fridays Beer Garden—sponsored by Elephant Bar—serves up the cold brews.
Come celebrate the inaugural First Fridays Picklefest, August 2 from 5-9 p.m. in Downtown Goshen!.
Great times with family and friends are the main goal at Picklefest, and the options are aplenty! Cheer on some of the best pickleball players in the area as they compete for the Picklefest Champions title, enjoy pickled items you never knew existed, and take your shot at the Viewrail Dunk Tank to raise money for Ryan’s Place. Don’t forget to try out the ever-entertaining mechanical bull (but—perhaps—do so BEFORE visiting the beer garden)!
Goshen Parks and Recreation offers family-friendly games for kids along Main Street, and the Chill Zone—presented by DJ Construction and the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart County—offers a fun virtual reality experience for the young and young at heart. Fables Books, 215 S. Main St., presents a bookmark crafting session from 5-7 p.m. and a special Pickle Scavenger Hunt offers a chance to win a terrific Downtown Goshen prize package!
Participating businesses focus on all things pickled and highlight games and items geared toward competitive and athletic performance. Find specials on outdoor activity items, athletic and leisure wear, shoes, sporting merchandise, and spectator apparel. JoJo’s Pretzels, 136 S. Main St., offers Dill Pickle Pretzels for 25% off, and Fables presents a selection of new and used books about pickleball, pickling, and/or featuring the word “pickle.”
The Window, 223 S. Main St., offers tacos from 4:30-7:30 p.m. to support its worthy mission, and Common Spirits, 111 E. Lincoln Ave., features its Fried Pickle cocktail, Donna’s Pickle Beer, and a Fried Pickle food special. Goshen businesses The MAC, Cressy & Everett Real Estate, and Braly’s Barber Den set up to offer business services on the festival grounds, and Maple City Market offers 20% off pickled items.
Enjoy free entertainment from the Miller Poultry Main Stage!
- Contra Dancing
5 – 6 p.m. - Grupo Marca Grande
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. - Heyzeus
8 – 9 p.m.
Don’t miss the inaugural First Fridays Picklefest, August 2 from 5-9 p.m.—only in Downtown Goshen!
Find event details for August First Fridays at Downtown Goshen.org.
