On August 4 at 9 a.m., pets of all shapes and sizes will parade through the , led by Rhubarb, the Tacoma Rainier’s reindeer mascot. The parade is free, but participants will want to register to get a goodie bag and be considered for prizes for best Art Costume and best Rhubarb Costume.
The Pet Parade is hosted by and sponsored by the Tacoma Rainiers, Sumner Veterinary Hospital and MudBay. Participants wanting to avoid the lines can sign up ahead of time online at www.metroanimalservices.org or at Sumner Vet.
After working up an appetite with the parade, participants can enjoy the pancake feed, offered by . Of course, nothing goes better with pancakes the rhubarb syrup, provided by
Throughout the day, the Rhubarb Festival offers fun for the whole family, including art for sale in booths, Stryker vehicles on display from Joint Base Lewis McChord and Rhingo (or rhubarb bingo) offered by Sumner Lions Club. In Kid Valley, the YMCA will be demonstrating safe kids cooking, offering the chance for kids to get their hands dirty…or floury. Kids can also make their own crowns, patterned after the base of a rhubarb plant, which is called a “crown.” With Rhu-Putt-Putt, kids (and adults) can try to sink a hole in one around rhubarb obstacles, sponsored by Sumner Meadows Golf Links.
All events are part of the Sumner Art & Rhubarb Pie Festival, August 3-4 in Downtown Sumner. Other highlights include the Great Rhu-Bate, the Great Rhubarb Race, Rhubarb Wood Carving Contest, Rhubarb RAW!, and more. For more information, visit www.sumnerfestival.com.
