Volunteers Prepping for CHUM’s 20th ‘Rhubarb Festival’

Duluth, Minn.– The 20-yearlong beloved rhubarb tradition for Duluth is right around the corner.

And CHUM is excited to continue the traditions, both new and old.

For this year’s ‘Rhubarb Festival’ celebration, it will take place at the Asbury United Methodist Church in West Duluth.

Before the festival on June 28th, an official told FOX 21 an impressive 1,000 volunteers are dedicating time to get everything ready.

Today’s agenda centered around baking rhubarb coffee cake, a popular request after debuting last year.

The accumulation over the years has crowned the Rhubarb Festival as CHUM’s top event.

“It’s our largest of the year. It’s the most important one that we do, in combination with that, and also, equally, it’s a celebration and an advocacy moment, just to raise awareness that there are organizations out there that are working with dignity and serving hope for those that need it the most in our community,” said Bud Trnka, Volunteer & Events Coordinator, CHUM.

According to one volunteer, who recently moved to Duluth the sweetest part of the job isn’t the baking, it’s something else entirely.

“I think, is the big goal to raise money for that particular organization, which I think helps to feed folks in the community that need it. Very similar to some of the work we did. You know, where we came from, so that that was very attractive to us. We like to help. I think it’s something that Christ would have us to do to help people that really need help. Don’t just talk about it. Roll up your sleeves and do something. So here we are,” explained Ray Timmerman, a rhubarb festival volunteer.

CHUM’s rhubarb fest is always looking for more volunteers, and rhubarb itself.

If you’re interested in helping out, you can check out their website to see how you can get involved.