Annual Airing Of The Quilts Festival Set For Saturday In Wilcox County

BOYKIN, AL — The internationally renowned quilting tradition of Gee’s Bend will take center stage Saturday as the annual Airing of the Quilts Festival returns to Wilcox County.

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Set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, the festival will feature hundreds of quilts displayed across yards, porches and clotheslines throughout Gee’s Bend, also known as Boykin.

Organizers said dozens of local quilters are expected to sell their work directly to visitors, while the festival will also feature quilting demonstrations, hands-on workshops, guided community tours, exhibitions, food vendors and live music.

Gee’s Bend quilts have been exhibited in museums around the world and are known for their distinctive patterns and improvisational designs passed down through generations of quilters.

“Meeting people from around the world and sharing my quilts in person makes the Airing of the Quilts Festival truly special,” quilter Doris Mosely said.

Organizers said the festival has drawn thousands of visitors from more than 36 states and six countries in previous years.

The event comes amid renewed national attention for Gee’s Bend artists, with Ralph Lauren recently announcing a collaboration with quilters Claudia Pettway Charley and Loretta Pettway Bennett as part of its Artist in Residence program.

Festivalgoers can also purchase $25 passes for a hop-on, hop-off bus service along the Gee’s Bend Heritage Trail.

Children younger than 12 can ride free with a paying adult.

The Gee’s Bend Ferry will operate additional crossings from Camden during the festival, with fares of $1 for pedestrians and $3 for a limited number of vehicles. Children younger than 12 can also ride the ferry free.

The festival will be held rain or shine, and organizers said festival venues are ADA-compliant.

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