Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky

09/11/2026

Games are underway in Owensboro at the state softball tournament. Safe travels and good luck to all teams, especially the 4 SONKY teams participating - the Braves, Thunder, Bats and Giants.

09/11/2026

State Softball Tournament is this weekend in Owenboro. Good luck to our NKY Bats, NKY Thunder, and NKY Braves teams participating. Bring home some medals and have a great time. Let's Go!!!!

09/10/2026

Please SHARE!

If you haven’t visited the event page to let us know you’ll be joining us, make sure you do!

Thanks to LINK nky for sharing the news of this year’s event.

🥒 Schickel’s Pickle and Weiner Fest 🌭
🗓️ Saturday, September 26
🕕 Noon—5 p.m.,
📍Erlanger Lions Park in Florence

Proceeds benefit the Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky! 🏃‍♀️ 🏃🏾 🏃‍♂️ 🏃

‼️FREE ADMISSION‼️
Live music
Raffles
Elected officials and candidates
Celebrities
And more!

Come help us support these incredible athletes.

LIKE and SHARE so we can spread the word!

09/09/2026

How about this featured story by the Northern Kentucky Tribune today!?

I am always grateful for those in the community who see the value in this annual event. It's not an event about me or anyone, but about the incredible athletes who give their all and participate in the Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky. But I promise you, notable individuals will be on hand for this event, which I believe is becoming Northern Kentucky's Fancy Farm!

Check out the full story from the Tribune linked in the comments. I hope you will join me at the event on Saturday, September 26, where we will raise money to support this great organization.

Also, let us know you'll be attending through the event page linked in the comments.

Help us get the word out to make this year the best on record!

09/09/2026

Mark your calendars!

HOT OFF THE PRESS! I'm excited to announce the date for this year's event. See the news release below.

___

AFTER RAISING $58,000 LAST YEAR, JOHN SCHICKEL'S PICKLE AND WIENER FEST RETURNS SEPTEMBER 26
Free community event at Erlanger Lions Park will benefit Special Olympics Northern Kentucky

FLORENCE, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2026) - After raising $58,000 for Special Olympics Northern Kentucky last year, John Schickel's Pickle and Wiener Fest will return Saturday, September 26, for an afternoon of food, live music and fundraising at Erlanger Lions Park.

The free-admission event will run from noon to 5 p.m. at 5996 Belair Drive in Florence. The Feast will include food, a silent auction, two raffles, live music by the Lazy River Band and a New Riff bourbon tasting planned for guests 21 and older.

"This event is supposed to be simple: Come as you are, bring your family, eat a pickle and a hot dog, listen to some good music and help some wonderful athletes," former Kentucky state Sen. John Schickel said. "People showed up in a big way last year. We raised $58,000, and I want to see if Northern Kentucky can top that this year."

"Western Kentucky has its Fancy Farm. We have the Pickle Fest," Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore said. "It has developed into quite a gathering spot for persons seeking statewide political office, and I look forward to seeing my friends from around the state."

The Fest began in 2012 and has grown into a major fundraiser for a volunteer-run program that provides year-round opportunities for local athletes. Special Olympics Northern Kentucky program Director Mark Staggs said last year's record $58,000 represented more than half of the program's annual operating budget.

Organizers are accepting event sponsorships and select auction donations. Businesses or individuals who want to help may contact Schickel at 859-628-5150.

Raffle tickets are available in advance from participating Special Olympics athletes and coaches and will also be sold at the Fest. For more information on raffle tickets, contact Mark Staggs, Program Director for Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky, [email protected] or by phone at 859-835-7171.

Event details
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
Time: Noon to 5 p.m.
Location: Erlanger Lions Park, 5996 Belair Drive, Florence, KY
Admission: Free; charges for food, beverages, raffle tickets and auction items may apply

09/09/2026

Thank you for sharing Northern Kentucky Tribune!

We hope you will join us for this event raising funds to support our organization.

After raising $58,000 for Special Olympics Northern Kentucky last year, John Schickel’s Pickles and Wieners Feast will return Saturday, September 26, for an afternoon of food…

09/08/2026

PLEASE SHARE

AFTER RAISING $58,000 LAST YEAR, JOHN SCHICKEL'S PICKLES AND WIENERS FEAST RETURNS SEPTEMBER 26
Free community event at Erlanger Lions Park will benefit Special Olympics Northern Kentucky

FLORENCE, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2026) - After raising $58,000 for Special Olympics Northern Kentucky last year, John Schickel's Pickles and Wieners Feast will return Saturday, September 26, for an afternoon of food, live music and fundraising at Erlanger Lions Park.

The free-admission event will run from noon to 5 p.m. at 5996 Belair Drive in Florence. The Feast will include food, a silent auction, two raffles, live music by the Lazy River Band and a New Riff bourbon tasting planned for guests 21 and older.

"This event is supposed to be simple: Come as you are, bring your family, eat a pickle and a hot dog, listen to some good music and help some wonderful athletes," former Kentucky state Sen. John Schickel said. "People showed up in a big way last year. We raised $58,000, and I want to see if Northern Kentucky can top that this year."

"Western Kentucky has its Fancy Farm. We have the Pickle Feast," Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore said. "It has developed into quite a gathering spot for persons seeking statewide political office, and I look forward to seeing my friends from around the state."

The Feast began in 2012 and has grown into a major fundraiser for a volunteer-run program that provides year-round opportunities for local athletes. Special Olympics Northern Kentucky program Director Mark Staggs said last year's record $58,000 represented more than half of the program's annual operating budget.

Organizers are accepting event sponsorships and select auction donations. Businesses or individuals who want to help may contact Schickel at 859-628-5150.

Raffle tickets are available in advance from participating Special Olympics athletes and coaches and will also be sold at the Feast. For more information on raffle tickets, contact Mark Staggs, Program Director for Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky, [email protected] or by phone at 859-835-7171.

Event details
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
Time: Noon to 5 p.m.
Location: Erlanger Lions Park, 5996 Belair Drive, Florence
Admission: Free; charges for food, beverages, raffle tickets and auction items may apply

09/07/2026

Have a wonderful day!

09/03/2026

Due to the extreme heat The NKY Flyers Flag football practice is cancelled today. Practice next week at Silverlake at 6pm. See you than.

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