Visitors to the Sac County Quilt-A-Fair this weekend will be able to view between 400 and 500 quilts at the Sac County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

SAC?CITY – The Sac County Quilt-A-Fair returns to Sac City on Saturday and Sunday and promises to offer something for everyone, from quilting enthusiasts to classic tractor buffs.

“This popular event grew out of the Barns Quilts of Sac County project, and it’s a great way to bring agri-tourism to the area,” said Sue Peyton, publicity chair for the show, which attracted 1,500 people from 20 different states when the show was last held in 2009.

“We take a lot of pride in the Quill-a-Fair, which helps generate economic development in our communities.”

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the Sac County Fairgrounds in Sac City.

There will be a special evening program on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. In addition, a car show will be held on the fairgrounds, followed by a tractor show on Sunday.

Volunteers have been working this week in preparing the Sac County Fairgrounds in Sac City for the 2011 Quilt-A-Fair.

Quilt committee volunteers and their families have been preparing 4-H and open class buildings at the fairgrounds to hang quilt entries for show judging, as well as the quilts that will be displayed by the many vendors who participate in the show.

“There should be 400 to 500 quilts available for people to see,” said Atoya Oliver, of Sac City, who chairs the Sac County Quilt-A-Fair committee, which includes more than 30 members from around the area.

When visitors arrive for the Quilt-A-Fair, they will be greeted with a welcome bag with a variety of gifts from Sac County businesses. Many guests will receive door prizes, as well.

There is a $5 admission to the quilt show buildings, which will feature vintage quilts, new quilts and a beautiful quilt owned by State Sen. Steve Kettering (R-Sac City), which features all 55 of the original Sac County barn quilt blocks.

National quilters

The Quilt-A-Fair is a fundraiser to assist local agritourism.

Special attractions for the 2011 Quilt-A-Fair include a display of quilts by Sandi McMillan, an award-winning quilter from Albion, Neb., who has been featured in national magazines, as well as the American Quilters’ Society show in Des Moines.

McMillan, who does all her own piecing and quilting, will present trunk shows at 1 p.m. both days on the 4-H stage.

Demonstrations of a variety of quilting techniques can also be seen on the 4-H Building stage each day.

Quilters will especially enjoy a Saturday evening program at the First Christian Church, just east of the fairgrounds, at 521 Park Ave.

McMillan will take the stage at 5:30 p.m. to share some of her tips and techniques for creating award-winning quilts. She will be followed by Susan Cleveland, the 2010 Minnesota Quilter of the Year, who will present her trunk show of quilts at 7 p.m.

Cleveland enjoys sharing tips for increasing accuracy and adding details to quilts.

A virtual tour of Sac County barn quilts will also be shown on Saturday evening.

There is a $5 admission for the evening program.

Visitors are also encouraged to take a self-guided tour of the barn quilts in all the communities and rural areas of Sac County and see the quilt garden at the Prairie Pedlar near Odebolt.

“We have been fielding phone calls and e-mails from people all over Iowa and several other states,” Peyton said.

“We are expecting a large crowd and we are encouraging visitors to enjoy Sac County hospitality while they are here.”

For more information, visit: www.barnquilts.com.

You can contact Darcy Dougherty Maulsby at yettergirl@yahoo.com.