FLORENCE, Ky. (Sept. 21, 2026) – Supporters of Special Olympics Northern Kentucky (SONKY) will have opportunities to win $500 in Shell gasoline or a package of restaurant gift cards valued at $1,200 during Schickel’s Pickle and Wiener Fest on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Tickets for the $500 gas prize, donated by Greg Schrand, are $1 each. Tickets for the restaurant gift-card package are $10 each. Organizers will draw both winners at 4 p.m. during the Fest at Erlanger Lions Park.
“These are prizes people can really use, and the tickets are affordable,” said Mark Staggs, Program Director of SONKY. “A dollar gives you a chance at $500 in gas. Ten dollars gives you a chance at $1,200 in restaurant gift cards. More importantly, every ticket helps us build another strong year for the Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky.”
Raffle tickets are available in advance from participating Special Olympics athletes and coaches and will also be sold at the Fest. For help purchasing tickets before the event, contact Staggs at 859-835-7171 or staggsm@fuse.net.
The event is also expected to draw public officials, candidates and other notable guests from across Kentucky. U.S. Rep. James Comer is scheduled to lead the Pledge of Allegiance during the 2:30 p.m. opening ceremony. Ed Gallrein, the Republican nominee for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, has confirmed his attendance.
Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Joe Walter is also scheduled to attend.
John Schickel will recognize public officials and candidates as they arrive, but no political speeches are planned. He said the program and media opportunities will remain focused on the Special Olympics athletes and the organization the fundraiser supports.
“We welcome public officials, candidates and anyone else who wants to support these athletes,” Schickel said. “People will have opportunities to visit and enjoy the afternoon, but the athletes and the cause come first.”
The free-admission Fest will run from noon to 5 p.m. at Erlanger Lions Park, 5996 Belair Drive in Florence. The afternoon will feature Schickel’s award-winning pickles, food, children’s games, a silent auction and live music by the Lazy River Band. A New Riff bourbon tasting will be available for guests 21 and older.
The 2:30 p.m. ceremony will begin with an opening prayer and blessing of the pickle barrel by Monsignor Dominic Fosu, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Burlington. After Comer leads the Pledge of Allegiance, Schickel and participating Special Olympics athletes will lead “God Bless America,” accompanied by the Lazy River Band.
All proceeds from the Fest benefit Special Olympics Northern Kentucky, a volunteer-run program that provides year-round athletic opportunities for more than 1,000 athletes across seven sports. Last year’s Fest raised $58,000 for the local program, representing more than half of its annual operating budget.
Sponsorships remain the event’s primary source of fundraising, while raffle sales give athletes, coaches, families and supporters another way to participate. Businesses interested in sponsoring the Fest may contact Schickel at 859-628-5150.
The raffle drawings will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Erlanger Lions Park.
Erlanger Lions Gaming License: ORG000529
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This release has been distributed by Atlas & Ink Communications.
