Rhubarb Festival in Pine Grove, Colorado on June 11

The fun starts at 7:30 a.m. on the 11th of June. It is the 29th annual Rhubarb Festival in Pine Grove, Colorado. From 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., the day begins with an all you can eat pancake breakfast. Last year, over 700 people were served. At 11:30 there is Bake-off where Rhubarb Recipes are judged. A parade starts after the winner of the Rhubarb Baking Contest is selected. At 1 p.m, there is the legendary River Duck Race. This is where you buy plastic ducks with numbers on them and see whose duck goes the fastest down the river. The first place duck owner wins $100.

The Rhubarb Festival is a fundraiser for the Fire     Department and the Community. All the cabins in the community grow rhubarb in their yards so it is a natural decision to have the rhubarb commemorated.

Classic dining, mountain style, is offered in town at Zoka’s Bar and Restaurant. It offers delicious natural food specializing in ribs and trout and don’t forget about their famous dog treats made from scratch with drippings from their in-house smokers. They love to make your furry friends as happy as their non-furry friends! Afterall, the restaurant’s name is for a beloved dog that has now passed away. A scenic dirt road leads to Pine’s most famed (and world renowned) dining and drinking establishment, The Bucksnort Saloon. With its rustic location, it is a fun place to relax and enjoy a pint of their signature Antler Ale along with a world famous, award winning, half-pound Buck Burger while listening to live music on their deck overlooking scenic Elk Creek.

Shopping at the Pine Emporium is a must. Bob Adams, co-owner of the Emporium recounts that it was ten years ago right after having a booth in the Rhubarb Festival that he decided he would like to open an antique store in the town. He went right over to 16714 Pine Valley Road and bought the building that day.

The Pine Emporium carries vintage and hand-crafted jewelry, has an Art Gallery featuring local & regional artists, vintage clothing, books, and Cairn Gnomes. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 5pm. Call Bob at 303-838-5150 for more information.

Rustic Mantel Trading Post is another great place to visit during the festival. It has been bringing warmth and rustic beauty to homes since 1999. Custom made to fit any size, style and budget, these rustic wood mantels come in a wide selection, with a large inventory and custom-made mantel options available.

All mantels have the natural log front – some conservative for the traditional home and others with lots of character for the mountain feel. Over 90% of their log is reclaimed from “standing dead.” The rest is salvaged from being burned. They are committed to saving these ancient trees from being destroyed.

The Pine Library – 303-838-6093 – is another fun place to visit. It is sponsored by the North Fork Library Association, Open Tuesday and Thursday 3pm – 6pm and Saturdays 10am – 2 pm. The Pine Library is a lending library, used book store and wi-fi hotspot located in the heart of Pine Grove, Colora-do. It is also home to an extensive collection of reference material on area history, including the oral histories of local residents, past and present. The library is a gathering place for book clubs and community organizations.

Nestled in the foothills, Pine Grove is a picturesque mountain community with lots to offer outdoor enthusiasts, travelers and history buffs. Pine Grove was established in 1886 and has many historic homes and shops.

Hikers and mountain bikers will discover miles of trails in the adjacent Pike National Forest and Pine Valley Open Space Park. Surrounding Pine Grove are some of the area’s most popular trails, which follow part of the  Colorado Trail.

Cozy country B&Bs and riverfront cabins with decks, grills and hot tubs are available for overnight guests.

Explore Pine Grove’s shopping, fishing, dining, history and beautiful scenery all year long. But first, come to the Rhubarb Festival for a fun day in the mountains southwest of Denver.