Every June, the Churches United in Ministry (CHUM) host a Rhubarb Festival to celebrate this most treasured vegetable and raise money for their ministries to the poor, homeless, and underemployed of this city. Thousands of pies are baked and sold, along with other desserts, beverages, and even sausages and burritos, all made from our favorite late spring harvest.
This June 27 was sunny and warm with just enough of a breeze to moderate the sunshine. Sisters from St. Scholastica Monastery, which is a sponsor of CHUM. ran the Coloring Contest booth. This is where children ages 1½ to 12 years colored a drawing of the Festival’s mascot, Rhubarbara. We kept moving the tables as our canopy’s shade moved with the sun, but a few crayons left puddles of Technicolor wax on the tables.
At the end of the day, we judged the artwork in three age categories. It was a very difficult decision, as they were all sincere and beautiful. In the end we selected two from each group to receive the Grand Prize and an Honorable Mention.