Upper Country Quilt Show Celebrates America’s 250th
The Upper Country Quilt Show kicked off during Hells Canyon Days with the theme, “Happy 250th Birthday America!” The event showcased quilts, both recently made and family heirlooms, in several categories.
“Usually, we get a pretty good mixture of modern, traditional, and vintage,” said event organizer Cindy Jones. She explained that some people enter quilts that belonged to their grandparents.
“They all have a story,” she said.
This year’s Overall Viewer’s Choice award went to Risa Stetzel of Emmett for her colorful and vibrant garden-themed quilt. Kay Garner of Cambridge received the Theme award for her quilt which showcased a patriotic variation of red, white, and blue. The Student Viewer’s Choice award was presented to Lilly Mendenhall of Council. The prizes were sponsored by Steelman Signature Hardware.
The Challenge Block competition is another category that showcases quilts made from “challenge blocks,” squares of fabric purchased by the previous year’s quilt show attendees. This year’s winners were Lisa Martin of Weiser, first place; Ardis Boll of Indian Valley, second place; and Denise Wolfe of Mann Creek, third place.
According to Jones, the quilt show was the combined effort of a group of volunteers who moved it to Cambridge when it faced closure in Adams County.
“There are several of us that kept it going,” Jones said. “It actually started in Council and they were going to disband, and we really hated to see the show end.”
The show began during the Hells Canyon Days celebration, but it continued all through the following week and weekend. Next year’s Quilt Show is also slated to run during and after Hells Canyon Days.
The purpose of the show is to showcase local talent. “We are not in the business of selling at the quilt show,” Jones explained. However, exhibitors may place a note on their quilt if they are interested in selling their works of art.
“There are a lot of really talented people in our area, ” said Jones. Quilts are submitted from Washington County and Adams County, and some from as far away as Boise and McCall.
Proceeds from the Quilt Show are donated to local schools. The organization also donates quilts to V.L. Batman, a non-profit that helps abused children.
“We have donated several hundred quilts in the last six years,” said Jones.
Next year’s theme is “Cowboy Up.” Mark your calendars for the first through second weekends in June.
“Anyone is welcome to enter a quilt,” said Jones.
Planning for the 2027 show begins in September. Anyone interested in volunteering or participating in next year’s show should contact: uppercountryquiltshow@gmail.com
