All weekend long, hundreds of community members gathered at Sawyer Park in Bennington for the annual Rhubarb Festival, a decade-long tradition celebrating all things rhubarb. This year’s event featured dozens of local food and craft vendors selling homemade goods, artwork, of course, rhubarb-inspired dishes. Additionally, the Bennington 4-H Club hosted a petting zoo full of rabbits and goats for community members to interact with. Finally, event-goers had the chance to get personal caricatures from local artist Adeline Regis.

According to Bennington Recreation Committee Chair Jessie Crews, Friday’s torrential downpour flooded the venue in several inches of water. Despite the event’s rocky start, community members still participated in the annual rhubarb contests, pie contest and wine contest.

Crews said she’s proud community members showed out for the annual event amid poor weather and schedule changes.

“I think it went really well despite the rainstorms,” said Crews. “I think it’s important to host every year because its part of our town history.”

This year, organizers brought back the wine contest for the second year in a row. The winner of this year’s contest was Putney Mountain Winery and Spirits in Putney, Vermont, who took home 1st place for their signature “Rhubarb Blush.” 

Additionally, one family swept the annual rhubarb contests. Aimee Mullahy won 1st place for her rhubarb flower arrangement, her daughter Emerson won 1st place for the broadest rhubarb leaf, and her son Hazen won 1st place for longest rhubarb stem.

As for the annual pie contest, Molly Eppig took home first place for her signature rhubarb pie, Mike Munhall clutched second, and Lilly Estle took home third.

After 10 years of hard work competing for best pie, Eppig said she was thrilled to hear she won first place at this year’s event.

“It was pretty cool, I was very pleased,” said Eppig. “I’ve entered every year, and I’ve learned a lot.”

According to Crews, the Recreation Committee is planning to keep the annual town event alive for years to come. Community members interested in volunteering at next year’s event should contact the Recreation Committee. 

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