MENA -- The 40th Ouachita Quilt Show will be held Nov. 4-5 in the Education Building at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Mena.

The annual quilt show features quilters from Polk County and surrounding areas, with over 100 quilts on display every year. There are no entry fees this year, either at the door or to enter an item in the show.

The intake day for quilted items will be Tuesday, Nov. 1, from noon to 5 p.m. The show will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The pickup time is set for Saturday from 5-6 p.m.

The Fabulous Fall Festival, this year's arts and crafts event, will take place at the fairgrounds at the same time as the Ouachita Quilt Show.

With 32 different categories, every quilter from beginner to experienced has a place to showcase talent and artistry. The complete category list is on the Ouachita Quilt Show Facebook page.

To qualify as a quilted item for judging, there must be three layers: the top, a batting and the backing. Category 30 is not judged and "display only," used primarily for antique/vintage quilts and the featured quilter. Ribbons are awarded by outside judges for first, second and third place in each category, and 22 community leaders pin a special ribbon to their favorite quilt. Best of Show is selected by the outside vendors from the first-place quilts. Prizes from local and national vendors are awarded to place ribbon winners and Best of Show.

"Bear Paws in the Ouachitas" is this year's raffle quilt. The quilt was made and quilted by Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild members.

Ticket sales will once again benefit college students. Over $22,000 has been donated in the last 11 years to the Single Parent Scholarship Fund for University of Arkansas Rich Mountain students. Tickets are $1, six for $5, or 20 for $10. Raffle tickets are available from local guild and EHC members and the Polk County's Extension office at 211 DeQueen St. in Mena, where the quilt is on display, or during the quilt show. The raffle quilt drawing will be held at the close of the show on Saturday.

Material Girls fabric booth will feature two quilter's fabric stashes for sale. Quality quilt fabric is priced at only $5 per yard. The fabric is predominantly fat quarters and measured yardage. Fat quarters are priced at $1.25 each. Proceeds will primarily support food insecurity, like the food pantry and school backpack programs, and fund other local charities' needs. The Country Store is Polk County Extension Homemakers Council's regular booth at the quilt show and features handmade items and home-baked goods donated by EHC club and guild members. Country Store sales fund EHC projects.

OQS is hosted by the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild, and the show is possible by the sponsorship of the Polk County Extension Homemakers Council, which is under the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

For more information on entering a quilt or attending the show, contact Joyce Sanden via text or message at 479-234-3414.

Print Headline: Ouachita Quilt Show set for Nov. 4-5

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