Fruita Fall Festival Quilt Show

My husband saw an ad in the paper about a quilt show in Fruita being held last night and today to celebrate the Fruita Fall Festival.  I thought it was a little weird to have a Fall Festival quilt show in the winter but we decided to go check it out anyway.  It was fun!  A small show, but very nice quilts, some quite old, and very nicely displayed.

What we learned from the Mayor of Fruita, who was there, is that Fruita is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Fall Festival.

I picked up a paper about the history of the festival and it says the first one occurred in 1914 and was called the Cowpunchers' Reunion. It was organized by Dr. Porter and "the competitions were held in late September after the cattle had been rounded up and produce harvested."
"Women showcased their crafts, fruits, vegetables, jellies, jams and baked goods.  The Colorado Saxophone Band of Grand Junction provided the music for the first Cowpunchers' Reunion dance.  Later, revelers from Grand Junction would ride the Interurban rail system to attend the dances both nights of the festivities."

I really like this antique cradle above, used to display a State Flowers quilt.  They cleverly displayed all of the quilts including the one in the rocking chair.

In celebration of this 100th anniversary they are having an event every month this year, that's why they are celebrating the Fall Festival in the winter, because they will be celebrating all year long!  The event next month is Cowboy Poetry.

This quilt and the quilt below said they came from a South Carolina Plantation.  I don't know how old they are but they have seen some years!

We ran into at least a half dozen quilters that I know, which was fun!  You know, when someone says quilt show .... quilter's come!  I think the mayor was a little surprised at what a good turn out they had.  She said they may expand it to include more quilts next year and put out a call to the guilds in town to ask for more quilts to display.  I bet they wouldn't have any trouble rounding up some more quilts!

Each time you go to an event celebrating the Fruita Fall Festival, you get a playing card (above) and some time in July they will have an event where you "show your hand" and if you collect a good poker hand over these next few months, I believe prizes will be involved.  I don't know anything about poker, but I started off with a King.  Looks pretty good to me!

Back to quilting :)