Bonham -- What would make everyone in town talk about quilts on a blazing hot day in July? The Bonham Quilt Hop, of course!
Quilting is a time-honored Texas tradition and that tradition seemed stronger than ever July 28 as visitors streamed into Bonham from Allen, McKinney, Greenville, Anna, Pottsboro, Durant, Sherman, Denison, Whitesboro, Houston and Kingston, Oklahoma, as well as countless other locations in North Texas and southern Oklahoma to view 315 quilts on display at nine locations in Bonham.
Emma Trent welcomes tourists in town for the Quilt Hop to the exhibit at Bonham Visitors Center.
One interesting facet of this event is that quilts are displayed at several of the top tourist attractions in the area, including Sam Rayburn House Museum, Creative Arts Center, Fannin County Museum of History and Sam Rayburn Library Museum. This aspect of Bonham Quilt Hop allows visitors to view quilts while sightseeing. Bonham Visitors Center is often the first stop tourists make in Bonham and it is also a mainstay of Quilt Hop. This year, the newly renovated Bonham Senior Citizens Center was also awash in vivid colors of quilts on display.
Creative Arts Center featured dozens of prize-winning quilts by Sherman, Texas resident and renowned quilter Shirley Stevenson. Three of Ms. Stevenson's remarkable quilts were included in the book Lone Stars III, A Legacy of Texas Quilts, 1986-2011.
The Creative Arts Center featured dozens of prize-winning quilts by Shirley Stevenson.
Stevenson's success has allowed her to market her intricate quilt designs throughout the U.S.
On Saturday, she was happy to offer advice while signing copies of the quilting book that included three of her creations.
This stunning quilt by Shirley Stevenson was juried into an international art show in Paducah, Kentucky.
Shirley Stevenson stands in front of one of her exquisite quilts and holds a book on quilts, Lone Stars III: A Legacy of Texas Quilts 1986-2011, that features three of her creations.
As visitors made their way to quilt displays at nine locations in Bonham, one observation seemed to be on everyone's lips: "This event gets better every year!"
The third annual Bonham Quilt Hop would appear to be capable of competing regionally as an annual highlight that pays homage to the revered tradition of quilting. Of course, such a well-planned event often belies the months of planning involved in any large-scale festival.
"The Bonham Tourism Association would like to thank all the local citizens who so graciously donated quilts to be shown at the various locations," said Emily Porter. "The tourism association would also like to thank the 60 volunteers who helped greet visitors during our third Quilt Hop. This event could not be held without the many people who devote their time to help us make our visitors welcome."
"Vendors from around Houston, Plano, Oklahoma City, Honey Grove, and Bonham also contributed greatly to the successful attendance," added Porter. "Many people commented on the wonderfully interesting and educational demonstrations that were given at the Bonham Civic Center. Vendors who shared their knowledge and skills gave these demonstrations."
These vendors also gave door prizes that will be awarded to winners whose punch card is drawn.
Plans are already being made for Quilt Hop 2013.
Quilt on display at Bonham Visitors Center
Bonham Senior Citizens Center was awash in vivid colors of quilts on display.
The sprawling Fannin County Museum of History had several quilts on display.
Sam Rayburn Library Museum featured a display of Mennonite quilts.
Quilts at Bonham Senior Citizens Center
The quilt pictured above and the next seven quilts are creations of Shirley Stevenson and on display at Creative Arts Center.
Quilts at Fannin County Historical Museum
Quilts at Fannin County Historical Museum