Sumner Re-Energizes Art & Rhubarb Pie Festival
Sumner, WA—What happens when small-town hospitality meets culinary adventure? Everyone
is about to find out when two long-standing traditions come together in Sumner, Washington,
for the Art & Rhubarb Pie Festival on August 3-4.
For over three decades, the Sumner Arts Festival has epitomized the small-town festival.
Firefighters serve ice-cream, mayors flip burgers, regional artists sell their work and visitors are
welcomed like family as neighbors gather for two days of food, art and music. One of the most
popular food booths is the Sumner Rotary Pie Booth. Sumner Rotary’s pie tradition actually
pre-dates the festival, extending back to when the County fair was held in Sumner and rhubarb
has it that every visitor received a free pie. After all, Sumner has been the Rhubarb Pie Capital
of the World since the late 1940s.
This year, the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the City of Sumner
and many other community businesses and organizations to revitalize the festival and celebrate
Sumner’s rhubarb tradition in a grand way.
The food, art and music returns and is joined by some new events that offer art and rhubarb
adventures from morning to evening. New offerings include Rhubarb Raw, where visitors are
challenged to eat rhubarb stalks raw—no sugar—just like the locals do. The great debate will
pit two lawyers against each other in the ever-popular question of lattice crust vs. crumb crust
for rhubarb pies. The Rhubarb Barrel House will feature life bands, a street dance and local
microbrews, including rhubarb brews. See the accompanying fact sheet for a full list of events
and partners.
Sumner is located midway between Seattle and Mt. Rainier. Visitors wanting to enjoy both
days of the Festival can book rooms at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Sumner. By
mentioning they are here for the Festival, hotel guests will receive an extra rhubarb treat in
their room (this hotel only).
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