About the Festival

Why a festival?

In 1992, a group of like-minded residents from Shedden gathered with an idea to promote the village and surrounding area of Southwold and to fundraise for an updated multi-purpose building known as the Southwold Keystone Complex.  The marketing campaign centred around community yard sales and a Festival to be held on the 2nd weekend of June every year and featuring one of Shedden’s most prevalent and lush crops – RHUBARB! Our name “Rosy” and logo came from a contest won by Gary Carr, one of the Festival pioneers who dressed up as a rhubarb stalk. In the early 1990’s the MPP for Elgin, Mr. Peter North, proclaimed Shedden as the RHUBARB CAPITAL OF ONTARIO. Rosy Rhubarb Festival has endured heat waves, wind, rain and thunderstorms and even a world pandemic. In the 33 years since that initial event, Rosy Rhubarb Festival has contributed over $500,000 toward community projects and improvements. The Festival remains a FREE event and relies solely on attendee donations and sales of rhubarb products.

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What does the Festival look like?

Community yard sales at residences along Talbot Line and within the village entice visitors on Saturday morning. On the Complex grounds a Community Breakfast. As well craft, manufacturing and specialized artisan vendors, food trucks and many more groups display and sell their wares. Fresh homemade rhubarb sauce & pie and ice cream, rhubarb salsa and jam along with rhubarb plants and fresh stalks are readily available.  Contests include baked rhubarb goodies, largest rhubarb leaf and stalk. Entertainment and activities for adults and children keep everyone busy throughout the two days. Optimist Classic Car Show, the Optimist Rosy Walk/Run Relay and a non-denominational Church Service are hosted on Sunday for added entertainment.

 

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Where is the money spent?

• 1992: The inaugural Rosy Rhubarb Festival held on the 2nd weekend of June.

• 1998: Official opening of the Keystone Complex Building.

• 2000-2010: Southwold War Memorial Cenotaph, garden, walkway and pergola, a covered Gazebo at the northeast area of the Complex grounds an extension of the Memorial walkway, covered Picnic Pavilion complete with a full kitchen, parking lot paved with curbing, updated electrical grid installed.

• 2012: Formation of the Southwold Library Committee including Rosy committee members to promote fundraising for a new library adjacent to the main Keystone building. Hosts of the RCMP Musical Ride fundraiser held on the Complex grounds, greater than 2,500 attendees.

• 2012-2018: Official opening of the Southwold Township Library, Shedden. In total Rosy donated  $40,000+ through the annual Festivals along with two Barn Dance Country Shows.

• 2010-2023: Contributed to the children’s playground, sponsored a multi-purpose sports pad, water line installation throughout Complex grounds, acquired a portable stage and bleacher seating, handmade picnic tables for use in the picnic area, a state-of-the-art sound system, electrical connection for camper trailers, purchase and restoration of 2 people mover trams, $5,000 annual commitment to the Township of Southwold to assist with landscaping and maintenance of the Complex grounds.

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Are there other ways to raising funds?
YES! Rosy Rhubarb Festival is fortunate to have been granted a licence to participate in Bingos held at Jackpot Time Bingo in St Thomas. Money shares from the Bingos total approximately $30,000 annually. These funds help cover expenses for landscaping, equipment and asset maintenance, and provide monetary support for various Southwold initiatives, such as  Winterfest, Southwold Community Policing Association Bike Rodeo, March Break youth programs at the Library, St. Thomas Christmas Care and Food Bank, Shedden Firemen Safety Program, and much more!

 

Our plans for the future. 
Rosy Rhubarb is a non-registered charitable organization and functions independently from the Township of Southwold, however, we depend heavily on the Township for guidance and assistance with our day-to-day operations and commitments to our Community. Rosy is intending to be around for many years to come! She will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the residents of Shedden and Southwold Township to make this area one of the most beautiful and fulfilling places to live and play.

 

Projects on the horizon include -

• Co-sponsor new LED sign at Keystone entrance at Talbot Ln (2025)

• Replace bench in Keystone Playground (2025)

• Continue annual $5,000 commitment to Keystone landscaping & maintenance PLUS additional $5,000 in 2025 for Memorial Forest Management Plan (2025)

• $10,000 commitment toward Splashpad when Council agrees to proposal (UNKNOWN TIMELINE)

• Protective overhead SAIL CURTAINS at Keystone & Corsley Park (UNKNOWN TIMELINE)