Sumner is known as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World and the marketing in town continues to reflect that.

Sumner Downtown Association Executive Director Shelly Schlumpf makes it clear this is the place to find rhubarb.

“If you’re looking in Sumner, you’re in luck,” she told a crowd May 11.

The Attic on Main Street served as the gathering place for merchants joining together to popularize the Sumner brand. A presentation by Tammy Blount, president of the Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau, focused on distinct logos and iconic images as a means of associating a destination with the specific image. Paris’ Eiffel Tower and Seattle’s Space Needle were included as examples of iconic symbols instantly bringing to mind the cities where they are located. Blount said Sumner’s iconic aspect is rhubarb, which can serve as a major draw and she said Sumner is already doing an excellent job of using that icon.

“I congratulate you with joining the ranks with Paris’ Eiffel Tower. You are more famous than you know,” she said.

Indeed, Sumner is enjoying much publicity surrounding its rhubarb pie brand. Megan Black from Evening Magazine recently profiled the rhubarb brand.

Many people know Berryland Cafe at 1101 Main St. for its pie and downtown association member Skip Pries said he once found himself unexpectedly on camera while enjoying some pie at the cafe.

Schlumpf is a strong driving force behind the rhubarb pie distinction and recognition of Sumner is continuing to branch out. It was a long time coming and took shape over the course of about a year and a half of planning, she said. She proudly told the story of when she and Sumner Communications Director Carmen Palmer attended a taping of “A Prairie Home Companion” in Seattle and were able to get a shout-out for Sumner and the rhubarb claim to fame from host Garrison Keillor.

The rhubarb brand is visible at locations in town not only through tasty food, but also historic keepsake items.

Barbara Keck, owner of the Whistle Stop Antique Mall at 1109 Main St., offers reprints of a 1931 crate label.

Keck is selling copies of the item at her store. The poster is from the Sumner Chamber of Commerce’s dedication of Sumner’s rhubarb pie warehouse on Jan. 10, 1931.

“I’ve blown it up from its original size,” she said.

In the middle is a list of interesting facts, with information about the rhubarb growers. The acquisition of the item was serendipitous as an acquaintance brought it in to sell.

“I spotted it right away and I said, ‘let me see that.’”

Keck also has a menu and folded brochure featuring 28 ways to serve Sumner hothouse rhubarb from Washington state.

Blue Iris Beads, 1117 Main St., is selling rhubarb charms and the rhubarb logo is soon to be seen on T-shirts around town.

At the merchant event, Palmer wore a T-shirt with the Sumner rhubarb logo on it and this is part of her role in the marketing. Palmer’s work made it possible for T-shirts advertising Sumner Rhubarb, to be purchased at Zazzle.com. The site allows anyone in the mood to bake a rhubarb pie to do so in their new apron with the Sumner Rhubarb Pie Capital logo on it. Shirts are available in sizes fitting infants to adults.

It wasn’t all work at The Attic, as guests snacked on food like rhubarb vinagrette dressing over mixed green salad from Sorci’s Italian Cafe and Enoteca, sampled rhubarb chutney and sipped rhubarb margaritas.