Thousands turn out for quilt show

The thousands of folks who flocked to Sisters to see a downtown wrapped in 1,400 quilts got plenty of colorful action.

A bluebird day greeted visitors from all around the world, with quilts rustling in a gentle morning breeze. Then, as afternoon rolled around, ominous clouds built up to the south and a thunder-cracking downpour sent folks scurrying - some to find shelter and some to rescue quilts.

All in all, it was a memorable 37th annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. (See video at http://www.NuggetNews.com.)

"It was a great show - right up till it wasn't," said Quilt Show Executive Director Ann Richardson.

It's always difficult to gauge attendance at the Quilt Show, since there's no "admission." However, Richardson and others believe there was record attendance. Certainly the week leading up to the show filled Sisters with fabric-arts aficionados.

The weather was just about perfect: Blue skies and pleasant temperatures made it comfortable for morning show-goers to enjoy the colorful spectacle. Many of the quilters also enjoyed seeking autographs from the models from the Men Behind the Quilts 18-month calendar.

The calendar project has proved a major success, with thousands sold to raise funds for the show.

A Tuesday-evening calendar celebration at Sisters Art Works was sold out, and the calendar men wore out Sharpies providing autographs.

During Saturday's show, businesses and vendors did their usual brisk trade, while musicians entertained in various locations around town.

The festive atmosphere turned wild in the early afternoon as looming thunderclouds rolled overhead.

"We rode up and down the street just trying to decide what to do," Richardson said. "We saw a crack of lightning to the north, and I think that was the beginning of the end."

Fortunately, the Quilt Show always has a cadre of volunteers known as the Quilt Rescue Squad ready to save quilts from wind and rain and the other vagaries of outdoor display.

They'd already zoned out areas that would require quick action or special equipment like tall ladders.

And as soon as the downpour hit, the quilt rescuers were augmented by impromptu volunteers, who took down quilts and brought them into businesses. Business owners, working hard to serve their many customers, gladly helped out.

"I know Rosie (Horton, at Common Threads) had about 150 quilts taken into her business," Richardson said. "Very generous for her to do that."

Taking 1,400 quilts down in a hurry, with no way to impose a system, was no small feat, yet the volunteers and business owners pulled it off with nary a quilt missing or damaged.

"Every single one was accounted for," Richardson said. "The good news was that the quilts were all fine."

The show went on Sunday, with the recently created Save It For Sunday program, where certain displays are featured, along with talks by noted artists.

Gwen Marston's talk on folk art fabrics was full.

"Save It For Sunday was great," Richardson said. "We had a huge crowd at FivePine. We really think Sunday has lots of potential."

The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show continues to grow and evolve, but some things remain constant: There are thousands willing to come to Sisters to enjoy the experience, and hundreds willing to lend a helping hand, come sunshine or storm.