Community News

‘Harvest of Quilts’ tradition to return for Country Fall Festival

Free registration open to local quilters

Staff Report

Mason County Extra Edition

POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — The 35th annual “Harvest of Quilts” show returns next month, held during the Country Fall Festival, Oct. 7-8 at the West Virginia State Farm Museum.

Young woman stands next to a blue and purple quilt designed in a log cabin pattern. A blue ribbon is attached to the quilt.
Pictured is Katie Litchfield with her log cabin entry, which was also last year’s Best of Show quilt. (Photo submitted to Mason County Extra Edition by Carolyn Litchfield)

Organized by members of Mason County Community Educational Outreach Service (CEOS), the show welcomes the work of local quilters from Mason County as well as nearby counties, with no charge to enter the competition.

Registration for “Harvest of Quilts” is 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6. Registration, as well as the quilt show, are held in the rear of the building which houses the Country Kitchen on the museum grounds.

A woman stands with a large Dresden Plate quilt, with a blue riboon on it. The quilt squares all have colorful color wheels in the center of squares.
Cindy Litchfield pictured with her first place Dresden Plate quilt, at last year’s Harvest of Quilts show. (Photo submitted to Mason County Extra Edition by Carolyn Litchfield)

According to organizers, although the quilts are not juried, the show offers “People’s Choice.”    

The various categories are:

Large quilts, hand quilted;

Large quilts, machine quilted;

Small quilts, hand quilted;

Small quilts machine quilted.

Ribbons will be given to first, second and third place in all categories. Quilts receiving first or second place will be given cash awards. A Best of Show will also be awarded.

An additional category is “Unfinished Quilt Blocks,” which can be any size. Each year a different theme is chosen with this year’s theme being “Quilting Bee.” Ribbons will be given in the three categories.

A young woman stands next to a quilt square with a blue jay stitched on it. A blue ribbon is attached.
Katie Litchfield pictured with her first place block entry from last year’s Harvest of Quilts show. (Photo submitted to Mason County Extra Edition by Carolyn Litchfield)

The quilt ribbons for this year’s show were recently made by members of Mason County’s three CEOS clubs.

Three ladies stand holding rosettes in made of blue and red material.
Pictured from left are CEOS and Harvest of Quilts Committee Members Anne Byus, Catherine Yauger and Yvonne Fetty. The trio display some of the ribbons CEOS members have made for the upcoming 35th annual Harvest of Quilts show. (Photo submitted to Mason County Extra Edition by Carolyn Litchfield)

According to organizers, the first quilt show was held at one of the buildings at the Fort. Since then, the show has been held at the farm museum. Last year, two quilts were offered for sale, with one purchased by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to be displayed at its office. (Note: Any quilt that is for sale is the responsibility of the owner of the quilt.)

A man and woman stand in front of a large quilt that takes up an entire wall, made of several colorful squares and patterns.
Pictured at left, Sally Stapleton who made this quilt purchased by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture at last year’s Harvest of Quilts show, which was to be displayed in the department’s office. Also pictured, Farm Museum Director Tim Kidwell. (Photo submitted to Mason County Extra Edition by Carolyn Litchfield)

Follow Mason County CEOS on Facebook for the latest news and updates.

In addition to the quilt show, the Country Fall Festival features an Antique Engine Show, Antique Tractor Pull at 1 p.m. on the Saturday of the festival, as well as a 10 a.m. Sunday Church Service. The Country Kitchen and Country Store will be open, with other demonstrations which have previously included apple butter and molasses making. Walk through the many displays and historical buildings depicting the area’s past. Admission is free.

Also in October, the farm museum hosts a new event: The Bluegrass & Country String Festival held Oct. 20-21. Tickets are required for this event and camping will be available. The museum also hosts its annual Mothman Hayride on Sept. 16 and is renting camping sites during the Mothman Festival. For more information, follow the West Virginia State Farm Museum on Facebook.  

Quilt show information provided by Carolyn Litchfield on behalf of Mason County CEOS and the Harvest of Quilts show committee.

Beth Sergent also contributed to this story for Mason County Extra Edition.

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(Editor’s Note on accessibility: Mason County Extra Edition attempts to use accessible fonts and alternative text for photographs, to be inclusive of all readers.)

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