June 29, 2025
By Rachel Scofield

Pickerington’s favorite summer festival is back! The ninth annual Picktown Palooza promises three unforgettable nights of iconic rock music, delicious food, artisan vendors, and community spirit.

This year, the festival embraces exciting changes designed to elevate the experience for all attendees. As part of its ongoing evolution, Picktown Palooza will be an 18 and older event, allowing the festival to focus on delivering a premium entertainment experience with a nightlife atmosphere and expanded beer garden.

“Our goal has always been to offer an unforgettable event for our community,” said Chris Stein, President of Panger Productions, the volunteer group behind Picktown Palooza. “By transitioning to an 18+ festival, we can better focus on providing a safe, high-energy environment for our guests.”

The entertainment lineup is stacked with legendary rock acts that defined the glam, hard rock, and hair metal eras. Headliners include Rikki Rockett of Poison, Mike Tramp’s White Lion, Jackyl, Black ‘N Blue, Trixter, and Pretty Boy Floyd — making Picktown Palooza the ultimate destination for rock fans looking for that classic summer festival vibe.

New for 2025 is the Vendor Village, a centrally located hub featuring artisan, craft, and local business vendors. Festival-goers can explore unique handcrafted products and services while staying close to the heart of the festival action. Foodies will enjoy a mouthwatering variety of food trucks, including returning favorites and new additions. The Palooza welcomes Little Italy as the “Official Pizza of the Palooza,” alongside an exciting lineup of culinary options ranging from classic festival bites to gourmet specialties.

Picktown Palooza is proud to partner with sponsors like Mt. Carmel, G&J Pepsi, OrthoNeuro, the City of Pickerington, OhioHealth, Fairfield County Economic & Workforce Development, and Capitol Fence, whose support helps make the event affordable and accessible to the community.

Attendees should plan ahead: admission passes are available now at www.picktownpalooza.org. Single admission passes are $11.37 or you may purchase a three-day pass for $21.72. The event requires valid ID for entry, with enhanced security measures in place to ensure a safe and smooth experience. Parking is free and convenient, but carpooling or ride-sharing is encouraged during peak times. Festival rules and guidelines are posted online and onsite for easy reference.

While the event focuses on adults 18 and over, children 10 and under can still attend free when accompanied by a paid adult during the festival’s earlier hours, making Picktown Palooza a fun summer outing for rock-loving families as well.