QUILT SHOW-Judy Thew of Ennice speaks with featured artist Jo Seagle at the Alleghany Quilters Guild's annual quilt show, held last Friday and and Saturday at the Emerson Black Exhibition Building. Photos by Laura Thornburg

Fair and quilt show draw crowds

The Blue Ridge Mountain Fair and the Alleghany Quilters Guild Quilt Show helped draw large crowds to the area over the recent weekend. Photos of another local event, the VFW Car Show, appear on Page 8. Fair

Joe Edwards, a member of the Blue Ridge Mountain Fair committee, remarked Tuesday that the attendance at the annual event was up-with an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 attending over the two days.

"The vendors were very pleased with the attendance," Edwards said. "It was a little warm in the afternoon, but in early morning it was pleasant I think everybody who came out had a good time."

Edwards also offered, "We want to thank not only the Town of Sparta for letting us have the fair at Crouse Park, but also thank our friends and neighbors in the community for coming out and supporting us. We look forward to the fair next year."

Quilt Show

A number of people recently attended the Alleghany Quilt Show held at the Emerson Black Exhibition Building.

Barbara Land Moncrief, president of the Alleghany Quilt Guild, said Monday, "We had an enthusiastic crowd and people were very interested in the quilting techniques…"

Moncrief mentioned that one individual from out of town compared the local quilt show to one in California, saying the local one is better. Meanwhile, a second individual told her there were so many pretty quilts they ran out of batteries while taking pictures.

In terms of turnout, Moncrief noted she didn't know how many attended in total, but more than 300 turned out for the show last Friday.

She remarked, "I encourage everyone to put the quilt show on their calendar for next year. It's always the fourth Friday and Saturday of July."

At Left: Martha Forrest of Atlanta looks over items at the Blue Ridge Muntain Fair.