Kalona quilt show kicks off 48th year

KALONA - Rainy weather forecast for this weekend is the perfect reason for people to come inside and check out the hundreds of quilts on display in Kalona as vendors were set up for the 48th annual quilt show.

Katie Karnes, co-owner of Wooden Wheel Antiques and co-sponsor of the show, said all of the quilts come in on consignment from her shop for the show once a year. She estimated to have over 200 hanging on display racks for people to see and between 300 and 500 in her shop at all times.

She said what makes the quilt show unique is how the community works together to put on the event. Karnes feels it's important to continue the tradition of the quilt show because it brings people into town and encourages people to discover what Kalona has to offer.

'You could do the historic village, all the shops downtown, the restaurants. It's a great place to spend a day,” she said. 'Kalona is known as the quilt capital and the quilt show has been going on for a long time and hopefully it continues for a long time.”

The Kalona Historical Village also participated by hosting a handmade and vendor show. Managing director Nancy Roth said the quilt show holds a special place in her heart because of her personal connection to the woman who started it.

Roth said she credits the success of the show to the talent of the quilters and the interest of visitors who come to town specifically for the show.

'Quilting itself is just a big part, I think, of the state of Iowa in general,” she said. 'There are so many people who are part of groups, and the quilt show, actually, is a way for them to show and sell quilts that they've made to visitors, because there's quite a few visitors that come from a distance away.”

Brenda Herington, co-sponsor of the show and co-owner of The Kalona Antique Company, agreed, saying by being able to bring in people who appreciate the work, the quilt show is able to continue and be a success.

'It's an art form and there are so many talented quilters in Kalona, and the Midwest appreciates this kind of artwork,” she said.

'We're very supportive of our local businesses,” Roth said. 'It's the only way these little towns can survive.”

The 48th annual Kalona Quilt Show will continue at the Kalona Community Center from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 26, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 27. The handmade and vendor show will continue at the Kalona Historical Village from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. both days.