Monroe County Historical Society announces eighth annual Salt River Quilt Show being held Oct. 4-5 at Mark Twain Memorial Shrine

PARIS, Mo. — The eighth annual Salt River Quilt Show, celebrating the Spirit of America’s 250th year, is scheduled for Oct. 4-5 at the Mark Twain Memorial Shrine in Florida, Mo.

Doors will open both days at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5. Admission to view the show and watch the programs is free to the public.

The quilt show is a special event for Missouri State Parks and a fundraiser for the Monroe County Historical Society. There is a $5 entry fee per quilt entered in the show. This fee goes to the Historical Society to help preserve the history of Monroe County, Missouri. Quilters may enter as many quilts as they wish.

Entry forms are due Friday, Sept. 26, and may be downloaded at Missouri State Parks Upcoming Events: https://mostateparks.com/event/109686/eighth-annual-salt-river-quilt-show.

The quilt show theme “Spirit of America” is broad. It can cover the country’s history, its natural wonders, American heroes, hopes for America, or whatever a person thinks is uniquely American.

Categories in which quilts may be entered this year are:

• 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

Quilts will be judged by an independent judge and ribbons and prizes awarded for Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice quilts, and first-, second- and third-place in each category, except in the Youth category, where only one ribbon and prize will be awarded. Quilters wishing to enter a quilt but not wishing it to be judged, may indicate so on their entry form.

Three show planned programs will be offered– Saturday at 11 a.m. and at 1 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. Programs will tie in with the show’s theme, featuring storyteller and songwriter Heather Harlan of Columbia on Saturday, and perhaps a bit of whimsy by Mark Twain himself on Sunday. Background music will be patriotic and Americana songs, from early times, Revolutionary War, pioneer days, Civil War, into the 21st century.

Approximately 100 quilts will be displayed and will wind their way through the Mark Twain Memorial Shrine and past the exhibits in the museum. The Mark Twain Memorial Shrine is located within Mark Twain State Park and State Historic Site at 37352 Shrine Road, Florida.

For more information, contact Marianne Bodine at 573-248-9983.