Rhubarb Fest back for another year

Honoring Kast House’s 150th anniversary will kick off historical society event

Rhubarb Fest will open a little differently as it has in years past as it dedicates a building that has been on the Heritage Park site for 150 years.

The John D. Kast House was built in 1871 on the original site. After an 18-month restoration by the Shawano County Historical Society, the doors will open to reveal the original wood floors, beautiful period light fixtures, newly plastered and painted interior walls, museum exhibits and displays depicting Shawano’s heritage. Rhubarb Fest will open with a dedication to this museum building at 9:45 a.m. on June 19.

Once the dedication is complete, the traditional fun will commence from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Heritage Park, 524 N. Franklin St. This is the 12th year that the historical society has held its Rhubarb Fest after the annual event was derailed in 2020 like many other events due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Live musicians will be performing throughout the day, including Shawano native and recording artist Ike Arumba at 10 a.m. with some original songs mixed in with cover songs. Burnt Toast and Jam will take the tent with some bluegrass tunes at 1 p.m., and then BLT will take over at 2 p.m. to perform some country and southern rock.

Of course, visitors will flock to the park because the main attraction is rhubarb, where it can be found in the many bake sale items including pies, tortes, cakes, muffins, cookies, and breads. Brats, hamburgers and even ice cream will be served with a rhubarb sauce away from the bake sale tables. To quench patrons’ thirst, rhubarb lemonade, sangria, rhu-berry Twig’s slushies and a rhubarb beer will be available.

Other activities that have enticed visitors include the pie contest and touring the museum buildings. There are learning opportunities in every corner of the park, where visitors can learn about the life of a fur trader, how to spin wool, make corn bread, quilting, carve wood and more. The Civil War Re-enactment Company E, 2nd Wisconsin will set up camp on the grounds for a firsthand experience of one of the turning points in the United States’ history.

Visitors will be able a little bit of rhubarb with them, as well including a rhubarb cookbook, rhubarb jam, fresh rhubarb, and more. DotCom Branding will be on site to print t-shirts using some of the historical society’s favorite archive photos. Rhubarb perennials will be among the green things available at the plant sale. Vendors will be on site, selling everything from soaps and jewelry to wood crafts and original artwork.

Raffle tickets can be purchased on-site for a chance to win beautiful raffle basket items.

Admission is free, and free parking is available in the open lot behind Old Tabor Church by entering from Lafayette Street. Shuttle service is available from the city parking lots on Washington and Second streets to the festival grounds.