The World Needs More Pie

06/17/2026

This is what happens when you overload your picnic basket with heavy pies. The handles broke off from the basket. I lost two good pie dishes, even worse, the pies in them. 😭 Another reason why I prefer metal pie tins. Luckily we had already served most of it.

06/16/2026

We are on the road to DeWitt Operahouse Theatre —with pies loaded in the car— for tonight’s PIEOWA screening. But first, coffee, and strawberry scones fresh out of the oven at Grass Roots Market & Cafe is the best! Even better when I can go with my mom.

06/07/2026

There’s still time to catch the 6 PM showing of PIEOWA today at the Aledo Opera House in Aledo, Illinois (about 35 minutes south of the Quad Cities). Better yet, make it a double feature and go to the 4 PM showing of “Everything Fun You Could Possibly Do in Aledo, Illinois,” a charming funny film starring actors from Second City. I saw it Friday and it’s really good! (Link in comments)
The Opera House was built as a roller skating rink in 1885 and turned into a movie theater in 1904. The entire building has been impeccably restored down to its original roller rink floor. I’m smitten with this theater, with the town, and with the lovely people there. The whole Aledo Rhubarb Fest experience exceeded my expectations.

06/06/2026

I got 6th in my age group (60 to 99)! I’m just happy I finished and without stopping. Now for pancakes! But then seems everyone wants pancakes as the line is a block long. I’m definitely coming back next year. I love this town!

06/06/2026

The winner of the 5k gets a rhubarb pie. Lucky for me I already got a rhubarb pie given there’s no universe in which I would win this.

You can get rhubarb pie all day here at the Aledo Rhubarb Fest! It’s everywhere you look.

06/05/2026

Hitting the road for the Aledo Rhubarb Fest! PIEOWA is playing at the Aledo Opera House at 4 PM and 6 PM, tomorrow at 4 and 6, and Sunday at 6. Can’t wait to have some rhubarb pie!

06/05/2026

06/02/2026

The Aledo Rhubarb Fest is this FRIDAY and SATURDAY! The list of fun things to do — in addition to seeing PIEOWA (at the Aledo Opera House) — includes a rhubarb pie contest, rhubarb tasting tent, derby car race (kids make the cars out of rhubarb (?!!), live music, and a 5k rhubarb run (winner gets a rhubarb pie!).
I would have included the Aledo Rhubarb Festival in PIEOWA but I didn’t learn about it until after it happened the year we were filming. By the time the next one came around I no longer had room for it. But now I get to go to it and show my film there. I’m also going to do the 5k run.

Posted on February 4, 2017February 3, 2026Event Details From tasting all things rhubarb and enjoying live music to shopping unique vendors and exploring historic downtown Aledo, there’s something for everyone at the Aledo Rhubarb Fest. Relax with family and friends, sample rhubarb treats, browse a...