That's a wrap! Rosy Rhubarb 2025.
- Sandy Annett
- Jun 19
- 3 min read
The 2025 Rosy Rhubarb Festival was truly one for the history books! Mother Nature
was on her best behaviour and the people came in droves. Our best guesstimate is
8,000 to 10,000 people walked or drove through the two entrances over the 2-day
event. And, who knows how many more walked the village streets for yard sales.
Young and old enjoyed the crafts, creations and food from over 90+ vendors – there was something for everyone! Children laughed and ran through an amazing Kid Zone complete with a petting zoo, bouncy castles, face painting and a bubble pool while puppets, magic and science shows challenged their inquiring minds.
The new social area was one of the highlights and hosted many families as they enjoyed refreshments, food and entertainment. Thank you to Natterjack Brewing Co, Redemption Tent Events Ltd and the musical talents of Austin Gagnier, John Milles & Chris Eveland, The Smokin’ Bass Band and the Doug Clayfield Trio.
The Baking contest, largest rhubarb leaf and longest rhubarb stalk contests boasted participation rates that exceeded those of previous years. Thank you to the Green Lane Community Trust Fund and Peter Carr of Preferred Insurance Brokers for sponsoring these events.
The Dutton & District Lions Club hosted their infamous festival breakfast on both mornings.
The Fingal-Shedden Optimists Car Show had a banner year with 117 classic and antique entries and 110 adults, youth and children participated in the Optimists Rosy Fun Run & Walk.
And, then, there was the RHUBARB!!
Approximately 400 pounds of freshly picked rhubarb was magically transformed into 285 Litres of Rosy’s famous sauce.
Here are some more rhubarb facts –
500+ slices of strawberry-rhubarb or rhubarb pie with 136 Litres of ice cream and
smothered in 120 Litres of sauce were served
500+ x 9” pies and 125 x 5” pies were sold with strawberry-rhubarb being the
preferred choice one-third more often
300 x 500 ml deli tubs of fresh sauce were sold.
120 jars of rhubarb salsa – tart and sweet with a little bit of heat
160 jars of jam sold
300 lbs of fresh rhubarb stalks (approximately 1200 individual stalks) sold out
60 rhubarb plants with 2/3 gone already on the first day
Oh, so many people to thank…
Tamme Matthews & Bruce Smith – sauce makers extraordinaire
Marilyn & Wes Sommer – fresh rhubarb stalks
Port Stanley Optimists – sauce station on Sunday
Judy McElvanney - Baking contest and kitchen helper
Pat & Len Palmer – Baking contest judges
Jeff McCallum, In A Jam – jam
Erie Gardens – rhubarb plants
Spicer’s Bakery Lambeth – baked goods
Women’s softball team – parking Saturday and Sunday
Quentin & Isaiah - teenagers who were my fetchers
Ken Jones Signs
Jackpot Time Bingo
Township of Southwold – Parks, Office, Infrastructure & Development – John,
Corey, Brittany and Aaron
Dignitaries Andrew Lawton, Rob Flack and Grant Jones
Town Crier Dave Phillips who has opened the Rosy Festival for 30+ years
No Worries Creative Design, Heather Lyle Calwill - our talented web designer and social media manager
Special thanks to the 80+ volunteers who worked tirelessly at the event and the 13 committee members who spent an entire year planning and working for this event. The committee bids farewell to Joan Carrigan and Brian Stark as they retire with a mere 18 festivals under their belts. You will be missed!!
As Chair of this year’s Rosy Rhubarb Festival, I am grateful to the village residents who, in 1992, had a vision for a functional and beautiful space and who, also, had the tenacity to make it happen!
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