Poor air quality keeps visitors, workers away from Picklesburgh

Among the many activities canceled across Pittsburgh Friday due to poor air quality, Picklesburgh was not one of them. Those responsible for putting on the 11th annual pickle-themed festival let people know Friday morning that despite the heavy presence of smoke, Day 2 would happen. Thousands still showed up, but not as many as vendors would’ve liked to see. “It’s definitely a little bit less than what we’ve seen historically at Picklesburgh, but we’ve never experienced smog before,” Mairin Patrone, of I’Dill Pickle and the Pittsburgh Irish Festival, said. “We’re really happy people are coming out. We want to make sure everyone is making the right decision for themselves.” “The crowds are not as big,” Wyatt Olson, with the Brinery at Two Acre Farm, said. “It’s hard to tell if that’s from the smog or because the footprint is way bigger this year.”A few visitors on Friday came prepared for the Code Purple air quality.“We wanted to make sure we could breathe safely without getting everything in our lungs,” said Morgan Lounsbury, who decided to wear a mask outside. “It’s not too bad. We tried it without the masks at first, but masks are helping for sure.”The smoke didn’t just keep visitors away from the festivities. “Three of our staff members are immunocompromised,” Olson said. “We let them stay home. We told them to take it easy and that they’re still getting paid.” The workers who did show up had to take extra precautions. “We’re all checking in on each other, making sure we’re hydrated, and taking a lot of breaks since it’s been hot,” Patrone said. “We talked to all of our staff members and told them if you have any health issues or are uncomfortable being here, that’s your decision to make.”While these problematic conditions didn’t make a difference for some stands, others are hopeful that things will clear up for the weekend. “We’re up to par from last year in sales,” Olson said. “From the amount of people walking by, it does seem slower.”“ definitely less than previous Picklesburghs,” Patrone said. “Like I mentioned before, is not something we’ve experienced.” However, some were happy something was going on downtown. “It’s the only thing open,” Tom Rybar, of Shaler, said. “All of the pools are closed. I was going to come down for America’s Mile. That was canceled. Everything else is canceled, so, come to Picklesburgh.” Since the air isn’t stopping the pickle lovers, it’s not stopping the festival either. “Nothing can stop us from getting pickles,” Trystan Snyder, of Harrisburg, said. “Picklesburgh is a great time. You get to try different foods. It’s just a great time to come hang out.” “The pickle party in Pittsburgh is the best event we do all year,” Olson said. “We don’t let anything stop us. We’re ready to party.”As of Friday night, all Picklesburgh events are scheduled to happen on Saturday and Sunday.

PITTSBURGH —

Among the many activities canceled across Pittsburgh Friday due to poor air quality, Picklesburgh was not one of them.

Those responsible for putting on the 11th annual pickle-themed festival let people know Friday morning that despite the heavy presence of smoke, Day 2 would happen.

Thousands still showed up, but not as many as vendors would’ve liked to see.

“It’s definitely a little bit less than what we’ve seen historically at Picklesburgh, but we’ve never experienced smog before,” Mairin Patrone, of I’Dill Pickle and the Pittsburgh Irish Festival, said. “We’re really happy people are coming out. We want to make sure everyone is making the right decision for themselves.”

“The crowds are not as big,” Wyatt Olson, with the Brinery at Two Acre Farm, said. “It’s hard to tell if that’s from the smog or because the footprint is way bigger this year.”

A few visitors on Friday came prepared for the Code Purple air quality.

“We wanted to make sure we could breathe safely without getting everything in our lungs,” said Morgan Lounsbury, who decided to wear a mask outside. “It’s not too bad. We tried it without the masks at first, but masks are helping for sure.”

The smoke didn’t just keep visitors away from the festivities.

“Three of our staff members are immunocompromised,” Olson said. “We let them stay home. We told them to take it easy and that they’re still getting paid.”

The workers who did show up had to take extra precautions.

“We’re all checking in on each other, making sure we’re hydrated, and taking a lot of breaks since it’s been hot,” Patrone said. “We talked to all of our staff members and told them if you have any health issues or are uncomfortable being here, that’s your decision to make.”

While these problematic conditions didn’t make a difference for some stands, others are hopeful that things will clear up for the weekend.

“We’re up to par from last year in sales,” Olson said. “From the amount of people walking by, it does seem slower.”

“[Our sales are] definitely less than previous Picklesburghs,” Patrone said. “Like I mentioned before, [the smog] is not something we’ve experienced.”

However, some were happy something was going on downtown.

“It’s the only thing open,” Tom Rybar, of Shaler, said. “All of the pools are closed. I was going to come down for America’s Mile. That was canceled. Everything else is canceled, so, come to Picklesburgh.”

Since the air isn’t stopping the pickle lovers, it’s not stopping the festival either.

“Nothing can stop us from getting pickles,” Trystan Snyder, of Harrisburg, said. “Picklesburgh is a great time. You get to try different foods. It’s just a great time to come hang out.”

“The pickle party in Pittsburgh is the best event we do all year,” Olson said. “We don’t let anything stop us. We’re ready to party.”

As of Friday night, all Picklesburgh events are scheduled to happen on Saturday and Sunday.