Aledo city leaders unveil Rhubarb statue

Aledo is officially the Rhubarb Capital of Illinois. Now the city has a new way to showcase its love of the plant.   City leaders held a dedication ceremony today for a new metal sculpture of a rhubarb plant. It comes in time for this weekend’s 25th annual Rhubarb Festival. The rhubarb sculpture is now a landmark at the edge of town. “We want a brand, we want a designation spot so if people come into Aledo and they go ‘Aledo, Rhubarb Capital of Illinois, I want a picture of myself with that leaf. I want to remember Aledo for something.’ And if its rhubarb then that’s great,” said Aledo Mayor Chris Hagloch. Aledo hosts its rhubarb festival this Friday and Saturday. There will be more than 3,000 homemade rhubarb pies for sale.