Things to Do
What’s cooking at Kitchen Kettle Village’s 40th Annual Rhubarb Festival?
Along with their historic 70th Anniversary, Kitchen Kettle is also celebrating their 40th annual Rhubarb Festival returning this May for a fun-filled weekend of activities.
2024 marks a monumental year for Kitchen Kettle Village—a walkable village of 40+ unique shops, eateries, and lodging nestled in the heart of Lancaster County—as they celebrate their 70th anniversary. Along with this historic milestone, the year also marks their 40th annual Rhubarb Festival returning this May for a fun-filled weekend of activities.
Why Rhubarb?
Rhubarb is the harbinger of spring in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and every year Kitchen Kettle Village pays tribute with a two-day food festival filled with delicious and sometimes zany events. The village comes alive with the sweet aroma of rhubarb jam bubbling in their kettles and rhubarb-themed treats in every shop.
The Kitchen Kettle Rhubarb Festival has been delighting guests for the last 40 years with rhubarb inspired fun including: scrumptious food items, live entertainment, unique events, great shopping, and so much more. Get dressed in your favorite pink and green and come out for the most fun you’ll have this spring!
Lisa Horn, Director of Fun
What’s Cooking?
There are plenty of activities for young and old, families and couples alike. See the fastest rhubarb cars in the world’s only rhubarb racecar derby. Dance down Pepper Lane to live music and interact with entertainers. Taste the creative flavors of local bakers after Saturday’s Rhubarb Baking Contest. Pay tribute to the newly appointed Rhubarb King & Queen, plus much more.
What’s New?
If you’re a longstanding attendee, here are a few exciting additions to this year’s festival:
- A VIP experience: Grab a friend and treat yourself to a rollicking day of rhubarb infused food and fun in the Village with the new VIP Package. Starting at By Candle Light, you’ll go on an immerse adventure, filling a shopping bag with rhubarb offers at participating shops. See the lineup and book your package online.
- Two days of derby: The rhubarb derby car race has been extended this year with races on both Friday and Saturday all benefitting Lancaster Farmland Trust.
- A chance to win: Check out the U.S. Women’s Golf Open Trophy, practice your putting, take your photo with the trophy, and enter to win tickets for the U.S. Women’s Open happening May 30–June 2, 2024
- Even more rhubarb: The delicious food shops around the Village are adding more themed creations to their menus for the weekend including rhubarb cookies, whoopie pies, pasta salad, barbecue sauces, mocktails, cold brew, and more. Come adventurous and hungry!
Here’s the full lineup of special events:
FRIDAY, MAY 17
- 10AM to 3PM: Pepper Lane Fudge & Sweets specialty sauce sampling near the Deerskin Leather Shop
- 10AM to 5PM: Fresh Lancaster County rhubarb & rhubarb cookbooks for sale in the Village to benefit The Lancaster Farmland Trust
- 11AM to 1PM: Cheese stretching demonstrations at Aged & Cured
- 11AM to 1PM: Red Hill Road Duo performing
- 11AM to 3PM: Meet the author of The Petite Palate Collection, Jane Parker, on the patio of the Jam & Relish Kitchen
- 11AM to 3PM: Meet Lancaster Farmland Trust and learn more about their initiatives to preserve farmland throughout Lancaster County
- 11AM to 3PM: Purchase a glass of Strawberry Rhubarb Sangria at Waltz Vineyards and relax on their patio
- 11:30AM: Fascinator Making Demonstration at the pop-up space
- 12 to 2PM: Enjoy the antics of strolling comedian Geist
- 12 to 2PM: Nick DiSanto, the one-man-band, performing at the top of the Village
- 1PM: Pretzel Twisting Contest at the stage area with prizes
- 1 to 4PM: Rhubarb Race Car Derby to benefit Lancaster Farmland Trust
- 2 to 5PM: Summit Hill Bluegrass Band performing at the stage area
SATURDAY, MAY 18
- 9 to 10:30AM: Best Rhubarb Dessert in Lancaster County Baking Contest in the Harvest Cafe
- 10AM to 5PM: Fresh Lancaster County rhubarb & rhubarb cookbooks for sale in the Village to benefit The Lancaster Farmland Trust
- 10AM to 3PM: Pepper Lane Fudge & Sweets specialty sauce sampling near the Deerskin Leather Shop
- 10AM to 12PM: Meet our Rhubarb Stilt Walker for the perfect photo opportunity
- 10AM to 4PM: Check out the U.S. Women’s Golf Open Trophy, practice your putting, take your photo with the trophy, and enter to win tickets for the U.S. Women’s Open happening May 30–June 2, 2024
- 10:30AM to 2PM: Rhubarb Race Car Derby to benefit Lancaster Farmland Trust
- 11AM to 1PM: Cheese stretching demonstrations at Aged & Cured
- 11AM to 3PM: Meet Lancaster Farmland Trust and learn more about their initiatives to preserve farmland throughout Lancaster County
- 11AM to 3PM: Meet the author of The Petite Palate Collection, Jane Parker, on the patio of the Jam & Relish Kitchen
- 11AM to 3PM: Purchase a glass of Strawberry Rhubarb Sangria at Waltz Vineyards and relax on their patio
- 11AM to 1:30PM: Musician George Papazekos performing
- 11:30AM to 1:30PM: The Rampart Street Ramblers performing
- 11:45AM: Crowning of the official Rhubarb King & Queen
- 2PM: Rhubarb King & Queen Promenade and parade through the Village with live music, entertainers & more
- 2 to 5PM: Enjoy the sounds of the Roof Rockers (a 50s & 60s cover band) performing
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