Make a Day of it in Lanesboro at the Rhubarb Festival

Are you ready for the 22nd annual Rhubarb Festival? There is still time to make your favorite rhubarb dish for the rhubarb bake-off competition, which includes free tasting. Attendees get to vote on their favorite dish. Don’t forget to dress up for the rhubarb costume contest and practice your throw for the rhubarb stalk-throwing contest.

The popular event takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sylvan Park in downtown Lanesboro, and it’s free.

“We’re excited about this year, and in addition to our long-running events and the returning events brought back last year, we’re also adding new things this year. Our aim with this long-running festival remains an old-fashioned, community-hosted, fun-filled welcome-to-summer celebration for all ages,” explained event organizer Kristin Coplin.

New this year are the cornhole tournament, balloon art, and a presentation about the history of the Rhubarb Festival in celebration of the Lanesboro History Museum’s 50-year anniversary.

Sit back and enjoy the sounds of this year’s featured bands – Clay Fulton, Two Harbors Ukulele, and Matt and Brenda Steir – under Minnesota’s azul colored sky. It is suggested that you bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on.

Coplin shared that activities that brought back last year  and are returning this year are the Rhu-Run (a 5K or one-mile fun run along the bike trail) and Story Tree, animated readings of children’s stories on a quilt under a tree with a large, lush canopy.

Visit the farmers market, where you can purchase fresh, locally grown rhubarb. Select from a wide selection of food vendors and homemade rhubarb dessert made by the community for sale.

Take time to visit the quaint stores and enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants in historic downtown Lanesboro. Include a walk or bike ride on Root River Trail, and an evening performance of “NØ Wake” by Erica Berman at the Commonweal Theatre.

Expert Tip

Unwind with a relaxing night’s stay in the Bed & Breakfast Capital of Minnesota.

June Events

•June 9 – Music in Veterans Park, Caledonia

•June 11 – Rhythm by the River, Preston

•June 20 – Founder’s Day Festival, Children’s Fun Fest, and Randy Klinski Memorial Car Show, Caledonia

•June 20 – Art in the Park, Lanesboro

•June 20 – Music on the Bluff, Whalan

•June 23 – Music in Veterans Park, Caledonia

•June 26-28 – Laura Ingalls Wilder Day, Burr Oak

•June 26-28 – Brownsville Days and Brownsville Car Show, Brownsville

•June 27 – Gammel Dag Fest, Peterson

Pick up your free copy of Visit Bluff Country at one of more than 1,000 locations across 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Visit Bluff Country magazine is dedicated to promoting tourism throughout scenic Bluff Country.

For festival updates, travel ideas, and recommendations on where to eat, play, and sleep, visit us online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.