A Fresh Taste of Quilting, the quilt show and competition component of the 2016 Wellington County International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM), wrapped up a hugely successful event on Aug. 19 and 20, with close to 1,000 visitors coming to see the 140 spectacular quilts on display, Tea Room and the 14 vendors in the Merchant Mall.
Judging of the quilts in the 12 competition categories took place on Thursday, Aug. 18 and the winners were invited to attend the grand opening reception held that evening. Also invited were representatives of the IPM executive, the Ontario Plowman’s Association, the prize donors and other supporters of the quilt show. Prizes valued at over $5,000 were distributed, along with the IPM rosettes. The winners of the Thirty Shades of Green block challenge were also presented with their prizes.
A special presentation of a wall hanging called ‘Earl’s Nine-Patch’ was made by the quilt committee to the IPM’s host farmers, Anne and Earl Schneider.
After the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, by IPM Chairman Ron Faulkner, the event concluded with a sneak peek of the show in its final stages of preparation for opening to the public on Friday and Saturday. The show included the opportunity for visitors to cast their ballot for their personal favourite quilt – the Viewers’ Choice winner was ‘Garden Path’, made by Alison McDonald of Hamilton. According to Alison’s story, the creation of this beautiful quilt spanned more than a decade from start to finish, and began as a ‘make use of scraps’ project. The Viewers’ Choice quilt receives an award donated by the Grand Quilt Guild of Fergus plus an IPM rosette.
The winner of the Spool Guess was June Carter of Mount Forest, whose guess of 1461 was closest to the actual of 1467. June will receive a $100 gift card from Len’s Mill Stores.
Raffle ticket sales will continue until the close of the Match. Don’t wait to get your ticket for a chance to win these amazing prizes! Our sincere thanks to Northcott Canada and Bernina Canada for their tremendous support of this important fundraising project.
The committee extends many thanks to all of the volunteers, donors, vendors, and supporters of every kind for their participation in this wonderful show. We are very proud of this team effort.
All of these quilts will be displayed in the Quilt Tent at the Match from September 20 to 24, 2016.
About the IPM: The 2016 International Plowing Match will be hosted on the farm of Anne and Earl Schneider in Wellington County near Harriston, Town of Minto from Sept. 20 to 24.
The Plowing Match is the largest event of its kind in North America and it is expected to attract well over 75,000 people, transforming Harriston into a small sized city for the week. With over 600 exhibits, daily shows and some amazing food, there really is something for everyone. Entertainment for this year’s Wellington County IPM will include: the RCMP Musical Ride, Jousting Knights, a RAM Rodeo and over 20 musical acts. In the Wellington County showcase there will be demonstrations from pig butchery to wood carving and a 75-foot zip line. www.plowingmatch.org
