The American Quilter’s Society (AQS) will unveil its newest international show and contest for an anticipated 15-17,000 attendees at the Lancaster County Convention Center (LCCC) and the Liberty Place Conference Center in Lancaster, Pa., on March 24 – 27, 2010.
The AQS Quilt Show & Contest – Lancaster will feature globally-renowned quilting exhibits, informative workshops and lectures, and engaging special events. Attendees are expected from 45 states and 6 countries at this first-time event in Lancaster, which is also slated to return to this Pennsylvania Dutch Country setting in both 2011 and 2012.
The magnificent quality and array of quilts on display is clearly one of the primary reasons for attending the show. More than 200 quilts in Freedom Hall at the LCCC will be vying for $44,250 in cash awards, with the Best of Show quilt receiving $10,000. Another 200 quilts in special exhibits will be displayed in the Commonwealth and Heritage ballrooms at the LCCC and at Liberty Place.
The LCCC and Liberty Place will also feature nearly 300 vendor booths, showing off the latest quilting-related equipment, material, and designs. Full- and half-day workshops and shorter lectures on topics ranging from “Quilting the Amish Way” to “Quilting as a Career” will all be led by quilting experts from across the country.
Special events during the show include:
- “An Evening with Karen K. Stone – For the Fun of It!” on Wed., 3/24: join this quilting dynamo for tips on how to enjoy every aspect of the creative process.
- “It’s the Eleanor Burns Show – Live in Lancaster” on Thurs., 3/25: the charming star of the long-running PBS series Quilt in a Day revisits some of her techniques that have influenced quilting as we know it today.
- “A Love Affair with Fabric – Hosted by Charlotte Angotti” on Fri., 3/26: an insightful yet humorous look at how best to incorporate a diversity of fabric in quilting design.
- “Brunch and Fun with Helen Squire, followed by the All-Star Review” on Sat., 3/27: hear anecdotes and pointers from the author of the Dear Helen quilting books, and then take in some of the best techniques from this year’s show, all in one room.
Additional AQS-sanctioned events during the show include:
- The Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum will display Amish quilts from its famous Esprit Collection, and a special exhibit – Family and Friends: Quilts and Their Connections – on Mon. through Sat., 9am to 5pm. A special evening reception features local quilters and textile historian/author Patricia T. Herr, on Fri., 3/26, 7 – 8:30 pm.
- 20th Annual Spring Blossom Quilt Festival at the Continental Inn, Route 30, in Lancaster will feature more than 40 vendors and a special display of Civil War tribute quilts. The hours of the event are Wed. – Sat., 9am to 6pm. Admission is free, and attendees can access complimentary shuttle service from the LCCC to/from the Continental Inn.
Quilt appraisals available at the show
AQS-certified quilt appraisers will appraise new or antique quilts for insurance replacement or fair market values; no appointment is necessary. Quilts can be brought to Classroom 1 in the Southern Market Center from 9am to 4pm on Sat., 3/27. The appraisal fee is $50 per quilt, payable at check-in.
Show hours and cost
Wednesday, 3/24 – Friday, 3/26, 9am to 6pm
Saturday, 3/27, 9am to 5pm
Cost is $11 per day; a multi-day pass will also be available at the show.
Parking and shuttle service
Attendees may park at designated lots at Liberty Place, Clipper Magazine Stadium, or the Burle Business Park on New Holland Pike for $5 per day. Express shuttles from all these locations to the LCCC are complimentary.
For more information on all aspects of the show, click here.
Headquartered in Paducah, Ky. and with members in all 50 U.S. states and 80 other countries, the American Quilter’s Society is one of the foremost quilting organizations in the U.S., dedicated to promoting and expanding the accomplishments of today’s quilters.
Lancaster County is a wonderful blend of urban style and rural splendor, and the PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau is dedicated to promoting its many rich cultures, from the Amish to the arts. Travelers can take in our vibrant downtown city life – featuring galleries, great dining, specialty shops, and live music – or explore some of the surrounding towns and villages to get a sampling of the heritage, food, craftsmanship, and hands-on activities for which we’re famous. Visit us at www.discoverlancasterpa.com. Lancaster is also part of Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country Roads region, a true vacation destination where country meets city and the past lives side-by-side with the present.
Is this going to be an annual show in Lancaster? If so, do you have dates for 2011? We were unable to attend this year but we sure want to come if you have it again!
It’s my understanding that next year’s AQS quilt show will be held March 16 – 19, 2011.