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Mr. Pickle gets down to Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" during Saturday's dance-off against Lady Liberty. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

Relishing victory

It took a dancing pickle to take down Lady Liberty

By Dan Evans
News-Sentinel Staff Photographer
Updated: Monday, April 14, 2008 6:05 AM PDT

The Yankees have the Red Sox, Joe Frazier has Mohammed Ali, and Lady Liberty has Mr. Pickle.

Lodi's two titans of curbside advertisement, Lady Liberty of Liberty Tax Service and Mr. Pickle of Mr. Pickle's Sandwich Shop, faced off against each other Saturday in a dance contest as part of a fund-raiser and car show organized by the Lodi Professional Network and hosted by Pizza World.

Emceed by Tom Presler of Fitness Systems and the Lodi Professional Network, the two contestants took turns dancing to classic pop culture songs like Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back."

Though Lady Liberty had the support of fans wearing Liberty Tax Service foam hats, the statue mascot was no match for the moves of the dancing dill. At the end of the contest, Mr. Pickle won by overwhelming applause from the crowd.

Proceeds from the event will go to a charity that sends cell phones to troops overseas.


Lady Liberty takes the first turn in a dancing contest against Mr. Pickle on Saturday in the parking lot of Pizza World in Lodi. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

Reader Feedback

WY wrote on Apr 15, 2008 7:57 AM:

" I wonder if that pickle got a raise? "

WY wrote on Apr 15, 2008 7:56 AM:

" Didn't Justin box up his pickle in that SNL skit? I could be mistaken. See that there was wrong. He should have canned it! "

WY wrote on Apr 15, 2008 7:53 AM:

" maybe someone should draw some pickle juice and have it tested. You just never know what jar he came out of. "

Cogito wrote on Apr 14, 2008 10:57 PM:

" I think that you guys are completely overlooking the possibility that Mr. Pickles likely began life as a genetically engineered cucumber. One can tell by his current dimensions that he probably also indulges in Miracle Grow on a regular basis. I've heard reports from people at the scene that Lady Liberty had no moves, and in fact "looked like a statue out there". Well.............DUH! I'd like to see the other corner show some competitive spirit and get that Jack guy with his big freaky head out there. Could you imagine if winning made his head even bigger! Just do it! "

sam wrote on Apr 14, 2008 9:25 PM:

" Scrutiny, yep you are right. After viewing the video clip steriods had to be involved. No human can be that good without some kind of chemical enhancement....
Hey Pickle, wanna share your secret?? "

3 cents wrote on Apr 14, 2008 5:58 PM:

" Too bad, after Tuesday Lady liberty will be gone anyway. But nice try at the contest. Now all we need is a dancing mascot for Wal-mart, Hum what could it be ... ? "

Scrutiny wrote on Apr 14, 2008 2:57 PM:

" OTH, you must admit that no "normal" pickle can peform the stellar moves that this pickle does! Steroids are the only way this could happen! "

OTH wrote on Apr 14, 2008 2:13 PM:

" Scrutiny you just can't stand to lose! "

Scrutiny wrote on Apr 14, 2008 1:04 PM:

" This an outrage! The pickle is obviously using performance enhancing drugs! We need a Congressional investigation!!! "

Scrutiny wrote on Apr 14, 2008 1:00 PM:

" This is an outrage! The pickle is obviously using performance enhancing drugs! We need to institute a drug testing regimen! Where`s Congress during our hour of need? "

OTH wrote on Apr 14, 2008 12:03 PM:

" Mr Pickle I hope you get a raise! "

weezer wrote on Apr 14, 2008 11:57 AM:

" Was the dance-off featured in our local news channels?
Hope someone's nice enough to post this on youtube. "

sam wrote on Apr 14, 2008 11:33 AM:

" JustTheFacts and nylodian, now you have me chuckling ... Great skit.

Way to go Pickle. "

boonablis wrote on Apr 14, 2008 11:01 AM:

" Damn-
That pickle cuts the rug. Move chick, get out da way, get out da way!!!!
You ROCK!!!!
He better watch out he's gonna wear those soles out!! "

JustTheFacts wrote on Apr 14, 2008 9:29 AM:

" Nylodian.. The Pickle is good, but nothing can compare to the SNL skit. I'm laughing just thinking about it. "

nylodian wrote on Apr 14, 2008 8:12 AM:

" Lodian: Nope - the skit where he was a dancing hotdog and another guy dressed as a sandwich. "

OTH wrote on Apr 14, 2008 8:02 AM:

" Mr Pickle you deserve your honors. You are fantastic Keep on dancing! "

Lodian wrote on Apr 14, 2008 7:45 AM:

" nylodian: Would that be the famed "D" in a box? :-) "

nylodian wrote on Apr 14, 2008 7:34 AM:

" I can't help but think of the SNL skit with Justin Timberlake....
"

T & C wrote on Apr 14, 2008 7:34 AM:

" Without a doubt Mr. Pickle has become the most popular person to bring out smiles in lodian's in the 4 years I have lived in Lodi! May Mr. Pickle enjoy every bonus given to him! I hope his opportunites for advancement to higher paying gigs comes his way! He is destined for greatness! "

judy wrote on Apr 14, 2008 7:02 AM:

" Mr. Pickle has brought a smile to my face more than once while driving down Lodi Avenue. In the frenzied world of today, we need these bright spots added to our days. Thanks, Mr. Pickle. (Please, business owners - do not start putting these guys on every corner. It's fun with Mr. Pickle because it is uncommon. Add more dancers and it will just become annoying.) "

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