ALEDO, Illinois – This Mercer County town of 6,200 is getting ready to more than double its population when it welcomes the 31st Annual Aledo Rhubarb Fest slated for Friday through Saturday, June 2-3.
The annual festival is billed as a celebration of all things rhubarb – from pie to ice cream to soda pop. “If it’s rhubarb, it’s here!” That’s according to organizers of the event that earned the town the title of “Rhubarb Capital of Illinois” in 2007, courtesy of Illinois state lawmakers.
The annual festival is at the crossroads of Illinois Routes 17 and 94. Rhubarb Fest draws between 8,000 and 10,000 each year to the county seat.
Each year, events and booths are set up at Aledo’s Central Park and the Mercer County Courthouse lawn, as well as throughout the streets of the historic downtown.
Rhubarb is, of course, the star of the show, and on Friday and Saturday in the tasting tent festival-goers may sample a variety of rhubarb treats. Local churches and nonprofit organizations will be selling homemade rhubarb pies and other rhubarb baked goods. Aledo Main Street also will once again distribute 12,000 free seeds to festival visitors so they can grow their own rhubarb.
There will be live music, so visitors are urged to bring a lawn chair so they can sit and enjoy it. There also will be food from local restaurants as well as from the Fest Food Vendors in Food Vendor Row.
Rhubarb will as always, abound, but those who want to stalk the perfect rhubarb treat are urged to arrive before noon to be sure they can get what they’ve been craving since last year’s Rhubarb Fest.
To that end, Darlene Johnson, Rhubarb Festival founder, is again warning 2023 visitors: “We encourage everyone to avoid ‘Rhubarb Regret,’ a condition caused by arriving too late to purchase one of our delicious rhubarb pies.”
Despite the name, the event is not just about the rhubarb.
Antique, craft and flea market vendors are available at the Central Park Market both days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday, another 100 art and craft vendors will set up shop at Crafts In the Courtyard featuring their unique wares on the lawn of the historic and restored Mercer County Courthouse.
Visitors also are encouraged to shop and eat in the historic downtown and take advantage of a free trolley tour sharing the town’s sites and history. Additionally, there will be free children’s activities in the Kid Zone.
As for parking, there are very few small lots available, so visitors should plan to park on one of the city’s sidestreets. Wear a good pair of walking shoes as you may have to walk for several blocks to get to the downtown Fest area.
Complimentary golf cart shuttles also will run through the Fest area Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. that will take drivers to and from their vehicles. There is a limited amount of handicapped parking available on the 100 block of South College Avenue.
On Saturday, there will be a free shuttle bus that will run from First Baptist Church, 800 NE Sixth Ave. The shuttle will keep making a loop all day Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rhubarb Festival admission is always free. Main events run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the most up-to-date information, including details on parking and shuttles and other Rhubarb Fest event happenings, check the festival’s website at aledorhubarbfest.com and its Facebook page Aledo Rhubarb Fest.
