Paris, Missouri. The Mark Twain Memorial Shrine in Florida, Missouri, will host the ninth annual Salt River Quilt Show on October 4-5, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Spirit of America.
On Saturday, October 4, doors will open at 9 a.m. and shut at 4 p.m.; on Sunday, October 5, they will close at 3 p.m. The public is admitted free of charge to watch the show and the programs.
The quilt show serves as a fundraiser for the Monroe County Historical Society and a unique occasion for Missouri State Parks. Each quilt entered in the show costs $5 to enter. This charge supports the Historical Society’s efforts to preserve Monroe County, Missouri’s past. The number of quilts that quilters can enter is unlimited.
You can get the entry forms at Missouri State Parks Upcoming Events: https://mostateparks.com/event/109686/eighth-annual-salt-river-quilt-show. They are due on Friday, September 26.
Spirit of America is a broad topic for the quilt display. It can discuss everything that a person believes is specifically American, such as the history of the nation, its natural wonders, American heroes, and aspirations for the future.
This year, quilts can be entered into the following categories:
- Color Me America uniquely American quilt patterns, or red, white and blue quilts of any pattern
- America the Beautiful represent this vast nation with all its varied landscapes and its iconic American plants and animals
- American Hero the nation s military past and present first responders, historic heroes or the quilter s heroes
- Only in America the nation s common history, uniquely American themes or hopes for America;
- Miscellaneous (anything goes)
- Youth 18 years old and younger
Ribbons and prizes will be given for Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice quilts, as well as for first, second, and third place in each category, with the exception of the Youth category, which will only receive one ribbon and reward. The quilts will be judged by an impartial judge. Quilters can specify on their registration form that they would want to enter a quilt but do not want it to be judged.
There will be three scheduled shows on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. Programs will relate to the topic of the exhibition; on Saturday, Columbia storyteller and composer Heather Harlan will perform, and on Sunday, Mark Twain himself might offer some whimsy. Americana and patriotic songs from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the early 1900s, and the twenty-first century will serve as the background music.
About 100 quilts will be on display, making their journey past the museum’s exhibits and into the Mark Twain Memorial Shrine. The Mark Twain Memorial Shrine is situated at 37352 Shrine Road in Florida, inside Mark Twain State Park and State Historic Site.
Call 573-248-9983 to speak with Marianne Bodine for additional information.
