Louisa County Fair to host quilt race

A new event, the 2021 Louisa County Fair Quilt Race, is scheduled for July 28 in Columbus Junction. It will be at 1 p.m. in the Youth Center at the Fairgrounds. Originally, the first Louisa County Quilting Contest was scheduled for last year, but when COVID caused the event to be canceled, the plans were put on hold until 2021.

Sponsor Carol Foster comments, “First and foremost, this is a fun event. It is something different for the Fair. We hope to involve individuals who normally wouldn’t come to the Louisa County Fair.”

According to Foster, several preliminary registrants have stated an interest, “But there is always room for one more, and the more participants the better.”

“I really want to get people involved in community activities like the Louisa County Fair, and this is really a fun event. You don’t have to be a quilter to participate. In fact, this might be the event that leads you into a new, exciting hobby,” Foster said.

Sharee Wilson Hoegerl, the co-chairman of the Louisa County Quilt Race and former Louisa County 4-Her, has dedicated herself to creating interest in the fair. She remains loyal to her roots in Louisa County even though her home is in Rock Island, Illinois.

The Iowa State Fair has had a quilt race for several years in the Varied Industries Building. Originally, it was promoted by one of the local sewing shops to feature their sewing machines. The Des Moines business provided the machines for the contestants, probably hoping entrants would like them so well there would be more sales. Patrick Lose, a designer of quilting fabric, partnered with the shop by donating batting as a prize.

Sharee advises, “Practice at Louisa County and get yourself primed for the Iowa State Fair. Who knows? You might carry home the first prize. I did.”

Hoegerl has competed in the state event four times, winning the championship once. Fifty minutes was her best time. (She would have broken the record for the fastest time, but her machine malfunctioned; however, she still carried home a prize: a roll of batting for future quilting.) In her winning performance, she cut her finger, but kept on going. A nurse from the audience watching came and bandaged the finger to keep the blood from getting on the quilt, so that Sharee could continue her “winning pace.”

For the Louisa County race, entrants must bring their own machines. To prevent an unfair advantage, all machines must be set to a similar size stitch; no machine can be set for “BASTING.”

In this race, neatness does not matter - it is just straight sewing. There is no time limit. Any age or gender may enter. The entrants must purchase the jelly rolls provided by the Needle and Thread Shop of Washington. The price is $30, which is discounted from the cost in any shop. (A jelly roll is a 2.5-inch roll of color coordinated strips specifically designed for quilting.) “Entrants could put the finishing touches on the quilt they sew at this fair and enter it in next year’s fair!”

The event encourages spectators. “It can be a really fun event to watch,” according to Sharee. “We can also help entrants finish up their quilts after the contest is finished.”

Prizes for this year’s Louisa County Contest are first place a roll of batting estimated at $215; second price a $50 gift certificate to Needles and Thread, Washington, Iowa (provided by Our Shop); third prize a $50 gift certificate to Our Shop in Columbus Junction.

Anyone who has questions can call Sharee at 309-793-0118 or stop into OUR SHOP in downtown Columbus Junction and talk with Carol Foster. To enter this event, contact Carol by phone at 319-750-0059 or at Our Shop in downtown Columbus Junction.