48th Annual Ozark Quilt Fair Comes to Shiloh Museum

Rows of hand-stitched quilts flutter between the trees on the lawn of Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Some are decades old, hung out for the whole town to admire. Banjo tunes drift from a small stage while the scent of hot dogs and fresh lemonade drifts across the grass.

The Deets

You’ll Catch Live Music and a Quilting Talk

You can catch the Shiloh Old Time Pickers open the day with an outdoor set at 10:30 am, then come back at noon for Mountain Alice. In between, head into the Meeting Room at 11:30 am for museum historian Rachel Whitaker’s talk on quilting traditions in the Ozarks. If you want a bite between sets, Icy Kids NWA has lemonade, nachos, and hot dogs on-site.

Kids and Families Get Hands-On Fun

You can bring the kids for free quilt-themed art activities, or send them off on a scavenger hunt around the museum grounds while you browse the quilts on display.

See Decades of Ozark Quilting on Display

You’ll find quilts lining ropes strung between the trees, split into two categories: anything made before 2000 counts as antique, and anything made after counts as new. Cast your vote for a favorite in each category before voting closes at 1:30 pm, then stick around for the Viewers’ Choice awards at 2 pm, where $100 goes to first place, $50 to second, and $25 to third in each category.

Quilters Can Register to Exhibit

If you want to hang your own work, you’ll need to register by September 9 at 5 pm for $15, which includes a boxed lunch (extra lunches run $10 each). Your quilt needs three layers, quilted by hand or machine, with a top that’s pieced, embroidered, or appliquéd. You’ll get up to 15 feet of rope space on a first come, first served basis, plus clothespins and cloth buffers from the museum, so bring your own chairs or tables if you want a bigger setup. Register at shilohmuseum.org/ozark-quilt-fair.

If you have small handmade quilt items you’d rather sell than exhibit, quilt sales aren’t allowed on museum grounds during the fair, but the museum’s gift shop takes local vendors through store manager Tina Pfister.