New Location for 2026: Downtown Suffolk's Festival Park
215 West Washington Street | Suffolk, VA 23434
SUFFOLK TOURISM BRINGS HOME VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Virginia Tourism Corporation has announced Suffolk Tourism’s 2025 Pickle Palooza as the recipient of the “Virginia is for Lovers Trailblazer Award.” Presented at the Annual Visitor Center Seminar in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Tuesday, March 11, 2026, the Trailblazer Award was created by Virginia Tourism to recognize certified visitor centers for excellence and creative accomplishment in tourism marketing and promotion, and to foster the development of imaginative and innovative marketing promotion programs and activities. Last year, on Sunday, July 20, Suffolk Tourism hosted the inaugural Suffolk Pickle Palooza, a pickle-themed event, held in partnership with the Suffolk Farmers’ Market, designed to unite local agriculture, a festival-style atmosphere, and Suffolk flavors. The event aimed to create a fun and engaging experience that would drive tourism to downtown Suffolk, generate additional revenue for market
vendors and participating local businesses, and help activate a typically slower Sunday for downtown businesses. After an overwhelmingly successful event, which drew an estimated 4,000 attendees, the Second Annual Suffolk Pickle Palooza was added to the Downtown Festival Park schedule for Sunday, July 19, 2026.
“Pickle Palooza was a natural extension of the Suffolk Farmers’ Market and our mission to celebrate local agriculture while supporting our merchants and restaurants,” said Katelyn Woods, Suffolk Farmers’ Market Facilitator. “Seeing residents and visitors embrace such a unique concept was incredibly rewarding, and we’re honored that Virginia Tourism recognized the creativity that helped make the inaugural event such a success.”
The 2026 Pickle Palooza will feature live music, additional food vendors, expanded pickle-themed artists and specialty merchants, and enhanced interactive attractions designed to further increase dwell time and visitor engagement. This intentional growth strategy positions Pickle Palooza to strengthen its draw across Coastal Virginia and Northeast North Carolina while continuing to elevate Downtown Suffolk as a destination for niche, experience-driven events. To stay updated on Pickle Palooza and all Suffolk Farmers’ Market happenings, visit SuffolkVaFarmersMarket.com.
About Virginia Tourism Corporation Virginia is for Lovers is one of the most iconic and recognizable travel brands in the world. Leveraging that powerful brand equity, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is charged with promoting the Commonwealth as a premier travel destination by showcasing all there is to love in a Virginia vacation. The dollars spent by travelers fuel the economy, provide jobs for Virginians, and improve communities across the state. Simply put, tourism helps make Virginia a great place to live, work, and visit. Learn more at virginia.org.