Community Corner

Sumner Celebrates Rhubarb with Six-Week Long Festival

The six-week long celebration of the city's rhubarb heritage spans June 28 through August 18 with many events made possible by the city of Sumner, the Sumner Downtown Association and assorted local entities and businesses.

Did you know Sumner's Rhubarb Pie Festival this year isn't a one-weekend thing? It's not even a two-weekend thing. It's a six-week long celebration that honors Sumner's rhubarb heritage while cementing the city's distinction as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World.

According to a press release issued by the city of Sumner this week, with the signature crop appearing in more city events, "the time seemed right to coordinate those events into a festival that offers something for everyone, using many partners throughout the community and beyond."

One of those partners is the Sumner Downtown Association (SDA), which is not owned and operated by the city but is an individually run non-profit organization tied to the National Trust for Historic Preservation through the Washington Main Street Program, according to SDA Program Manager Laurie Miller.

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As indicated in March, the SDA hosts three returning events through the Festival and continues to seek sponsors for them:

  • Rhubarb Days (July 13 and July 14) features Children’s Rhubarb Rockets, Aprons as Art, a good Old-Fashioned Rhubarb Bake Off and a Community Talent Show.
  • Sumner Fine Arts Festival (August 2 through August 4) is a 40-year favorite with jazz in the park and the community food booths, including Rotary Club’s legendary Pie Booth.
  • Classy Chassis (August 18) returns because nothing says Americana like rhubarb pie, classic cars and Elvis.

This week, Miller helped clarify the organization of the three events listed above as there was confusion over how the events differed -- particularly Rhubarb Days and the Fine Arts Festival. Click here to read the distinctions.

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Meanwhile this summer, the Sumner Arts Commission also returns with Friday nights with Music Off Main, located in Heritage Park’s picture perfect gazebo while Dixie’s Home Cookin’ offers American fare for dinner.

Pierce County Parks & Recreation has added its 23rd Annual Tour de Pierce Bicycle Ride (June 30), offering bicycle enthusiasts of every level the chance to ride through Sumner and the Valley, including past rhubarb fields. On the sporting note, guests are invited to Golf for Life (August 9) with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society via the City’s Relay for Life team. Now in its fifth year, this golf tournament takes place at Sumner Meadows Golf Links.

New additions to the festival include Association of the U.S. Army’s Great American Picnic (July 20) that will involve Sumner and their Community Connector, the 593rd Brigade, engaging in friendly rivalry with softball, volleyball, field games, and of course, a pie eating contest.

Plus Manestage Theatre Productions is offering productions of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man July 20 through August 11.

New events are continually being added, so check the website www.RhubarbPieCapital.com for the latest details.

Editor's Note: Information from the city of Sumner.


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