Quilt Show is major economic boon to Sisters

Business owners seem unanimous that the coming Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, scheduled for July 9, means big business for the town. Exactly how much isn’t known for sure.

But business owners agree the positive impact stretches beyond the one-day show and the impact reaches beyond Sisters.

It all began 30 years ago when Stitchin’ Post owner Jean Wells hung a few quilts outside her little fabric store. Today the Quilt Show, always held the second Saturday in July, brings tens of thousands of visitors from around the world.

The event includes Quilter’s Affair, a week of classes before the show and Around the Block Fiber Arts Stroll and Quilt Show Preview (which occurs this coming Saturday).

In addition, other retailers hold artist receptions and author signings of interest to the visiting quilters. All this activity stretches the financial impact from July 4 to mid-July.

“I know it has great impact on the businesses,” said Quilt Show Executive Director Ann Richardson.

When Richardson took the new position of Executive Director last year, she quickly realized businesses didn’t want more people in their stores on the day of the show because they simply couldn’t handle bigger crowds. So she has worked to spread out the economic impact.

For example, the show gives a donation to nonprofit organizations that help put on the event. The help of volunteers, such as the Boy Scouts and the Sisters High School band, are necessary since visitors don’t pay admission.

“You obviously can’t charge them at the door!” said Richardson of the outdoor show.

Funds for the show are raised through business sponsorships, commissions on quilt sales, and a raffle. Richardson adds that the show limits the number of quilts for sale to make sure heirloom quality quilts are available to see.

“Some people have quilts that they would never sell,” she said.

Richardson said the financial impact of the event has a ripple effect, adding many hotels in Bend fill up and quilt shops throughout Central Oregon will get business.

“There’s a lot of spill-over effect in Bend and Redmond,” she said.

Hotels and other accommodations feel the impact of the quilt show far in advance of the big day. Some are booked one year ahead. Sisters KOA, on Highway 20, opens reservations on March 15. By the next day, their 100 plus spaces are reserved.

“It always fills us up,” said owner Dennis McCarthy.

McCarthy said in his 26 years of business, the show has always been a busy weekend. He said it ranks in the top ten busiest days of the year for KOA, adding he is usually full from July 4 through the show.

“We get people from all over the world,” said McCarthy.

Paulina Springs Books owner Brad Smith is looking forward to his third Quilt Show. The store has traditionally featured authors related to quilt making, which can mob the store. Smith said each year since he took ownership, he is better prepared for the crowds.

“Last year, that day was four times bigger than the biggest day I’d had,” said Smith. He added it is a “whole big week” which boosts his business beyond the one day of the show.

Common Threads owner Rosie Horton agrees the crowds “seem to flow from Fourth of July weekend.” Horton credits the Arts Stroll with stretching out the event.

“It is the single busiest day of the whole year,” said Horton.

She has seen a change over the 20 years that Common Threads has been in business.

“I’ve noticed over the years that people come earlier in the day,” said Horton, adding she has opened her doors before 8 a.m. for people who are out to see the quilts before the crowds and heat become intense.

Horton adds as packed as the town is on show day, in late afternoon when the quilts come down from display, you would almost not know thousands of people had just visited Sisters.

“The quilts are obviously the main attraction,” said Horton.

While the consensus is that the quilt show is the biggest financial boost of the year for Sisters, the Chamber of Commerce Executive Director wants exact numbers. Cheryl Rhea is investigating working with a marketing firm to obtain specifics on the financial impact to Sisters of the Quilt Show and other events.

“I’d like to get those numbers. I think it would be very helpful,” said Rhea.

Meanwhile, retailers stock up and staff up, preparing for a weekend that for many will make their summer.