The first annual Pickle Festival was held at Linwood Bicentennial Park in July of 1977 at the suggestion of Larry Chambers and supported by Terry Hoyle as a way to raise money for the park. Many cucumbers are grown in the area and the Janicke family were one of the largest briners of pickles in the Linwood area. Larry Chambers who was president of the Linwood Civic Improvement at the time contacted Pickle Packers International and they donated may pickle items for the festival.