Credit Ella Abbott / IPB News The town of St. Joe, Indiana kicked off its 25th annual Pickle Festival on Thursday, beginning the three days of festivities with food, vendors and a pickle derby. Last year, the festival was canceled due to COVID-19, making it the 25th year of the Pickle Festival, but only their 24th celebration. “My phone rang off the hook after they greenlighted everything to start happening again,” said Jeffrey Studebaker, the Pickle Festival president. “‘Hey, you having the festival?’ I said, well, of course we are.” On Thursday night, community members showed up to eat, shop and play games on the grounds of Riverdale Elementary School. At one corner, the St. Joe-Spencerville Lions Club served ice cream, including a bright green pickle flavor.