Quilt contest to kick off holiday open house
The McHenry County Historical Society & Museum will host a monthlong quilt contest and show kicking off with its annual Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the county historical museum, 6422 Main St. in Union.
This year's "Rock Around the Quilted Tree" theme is "It's a Blue Christmas." Quilters are invited to enter their favorite predominantly blue quilts in the monthlong show. The first 25 bed-size quilt entries will be displayed on treelike stands. The blue quilt entries can be traditional, holiday, winter, or contemporary.
All quiltmakers - professional and amateur, regardless of experience - are invited to participate in this strictly fun show.
Categories range from hand-quilted, bed-sized quilts that are pieced and appliquéd, to machine-quilted varieties, to wall and miniature quilts. There are also categories for pre-1965 heirloom quilts (any color) and Just For Show without judging. For entry guidelines, visit www.gothistory.org.
Ribbons will be awarded in five categories. Ribbons and Bountiful Baskets will be given for Show Champion and People's Choice. A nonrefundable entry fee of $10 will be charged per quilt. No more than two entries are allowed in each category and no more than three total entries will be accepted from one individual.
Quilts must be available from Nov. 28 to Jan. 10, 2018.
Quilts should be dropped off between 1 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28. For information, visit www.gothistory.org or call (815) 923-2267.
The Dec. 2 open house features free admission to the museum, as well as live music, a bake sale and other surprises. Veteran Christmas memorabilia collectors Dave Harms and Lynne Eltrevoog are once again collaborating to deck the halls of the museum using aluminum Christmas trees and other vintage holiday decorations for your viewing enjoyment.
Following the open house, the museum will open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, through Jan. 5 (with the exception of Dec. 22 and 29, and Jan. 1). Regular museum admission is $5, $3 for seniors and students.