ALEDO, Ill. — Editor's note: A previous headline incorrectly stated the festival was June 8 and 9. It is June 7 and 8 and has been corrected. We apologize for the mistake.
Aledo, the rhubarb capital of Illinois, is ready to host visitors from across the state for the 32nd annual Rhubarb Festival!
The annual attraction returns to downtown Aledo on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8. It's expected to draw up to 10,000 visitors to the town, according to festival organizers. The main events run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days, but some of the musical performances will run a bit longer.
Attendees will be able to enjoy live music, browse more than 100 art and craft vendors, or take a trolley tour of Aledo's historic downtown. But all that pales in comparison to the real star of the show — the wide variety of rhubarb treats! There will be crisps and lemonades, just to name a few of the delectable delights, but the hottest commodity is always the pies. Organizers said that anyone wanting to sink their teeth into one will want to act fast.
“We encourage everyone to avoid 'Rhubarb Regret,' a condition caused by arriving too late to purchase one of our delicious rhubarb pies,” Darlene Johnson, the festival's founder, said. Johnson recommends visitors come before noon each day for the best selection.
Admission to the festival is completely free, although organizers encourage attendees to bring their own seating to enjoy the live performances. You can find a full rundown of all the events here.
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