The effort to preserve a country church tied in nicely with a day devoted to rhubarb Saturday at the seventh annual Rhubarb Festival in Heritage Park in Shawano.
The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Shawano County Historical Society, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
“We have had a steady flow of people and it is right around where we were last year,” said Karen Grover, society board member. “We always have new things going on.”
The event brought in about $5,000 in 2014. This year’s proceeds will help offset costs associated with the society’s efforts to restore a country church in the park. Grover noted the church is close to being fully restored, and the steeple, complete with a bell, has arrived.
Displays inside the church Saturday helped depict the 75-year history of the society.
Several visitors, including Emily Linea, of Shawano, were interested in the church project.
“I am excited to see what it looks like when it is finished,” said Linea, who attended the event with her husband, Carmine, and children, Violet and Sophia.
James and Deborah Lonick are contributing proceeds from photos taken at the fur trader’s encampment to the church project.
Guests were able to dress in 1800s-style garb for the photos.
“We decided to help raise the funds they need to finish off the church, and they are very close,” Deborah Lonick said. “This is a good way to do it. People come in and dress up in old-time clothes that we provide.”
The guests also learned a bit of local history by discussing the fur trade.
“It has been a real nice turnout,” Lonick said. “People are staying and listening to the stories and are very interested and asking questions.
“Despite the mistiness of the weather, we still have people coming in, and they like the set up of the tent.”
Another new feature of the fest that celebrates everything rhubarb was rhubarb popcorn prepared by Brenda Stanton, of Yucan, Idaho. Emily Linea said it tasted similar to kettle corn.
“It has been going great and people seem to be liking the rhubarb popcorn,” said Stanton, who noted she began making rhubarb popcorn for her Idaho-based company, Purely Popped, seven years ago.
Grover said more than 200 volunteers brought in baked goods and helped inside each of the seven buildings at Heritage Park for the festival.
“We really have a strong force of volunteers, and it is wonderful to have them involved in preserving our history,” Grover said.
