ALEDO, Ill. – As Aledo prepares to welcome thousands for the annual Rhubarb Festival on June 6th and 7th, city leaders say this year’s event will have a major new advantage: more space.
The newly completed Market Plaza, located adjacent to Central Park in downtown Aledo, was officially dedicated this week. The redesigned space offers expanded pedestrian areas, vendor hookups, seating, and improved accessibility—all features that organizers say will make a big difference for the festival and future events.
Mayor Chris Hagloch says the transformation from an old parking lot to a vibrant public plaza has been years in the making.
“We finally have something that I think will be accessible for a lot of different purposes over the next 20 years or better,” Hagloch said. “It’s going to make events like Rhubarb Fest much easier to manage, and a lot more enjoyable for visitors.”
In 2023, Rhubarb Fest drew more than 18,000 people over two days. With the new plaza now in place, organizers expect better traffic flow, safer walkways, and more room for vendors and entertainment.
Pam Myers, longtime volunteer and coordinator for the Rhubarb Festival, said the new space is a game-changer for downtown events.
“Where many downtowns are struggling—and we’ve had our ups and downs—this project shows what happens when people work together,” Myers said. “It’s beautiful, and people are going to be impressed by a small town doing big things.”
Safety improvements were also a top priority in the plaza’s design, making it easier for crowds to move safely between attractions like the Central Park bandstand, food vendors, craft tents, and now the expanded Market Plaza area.
With more room to spread out, organizers say Rhubarb Fest 2025 will offer an even better experience for festivalgoers.
“We can work around things, and each year we learn and do better,” Myers added. “But having this new space really gives us a huge head start.”
The 2025 Rhubarb Festival will be held in downtown Aledo on Friday, June 6th and Saturday, June 7th, featuring live music, food, crafts, children’s activities, and, of course, everything rhubarb.
