Bethel Springs Quilt Show
October 15 & 16

Fall is a great time to visit McNairy County with a festival or cultural event of some description taking place virtually every weekend between September and Thanksgiving. Last month, the Broomcorn celebrated a landmark 15th year with more artists and a larger audience than ever before. This month, it is the annual Quilt show's turn.

The McNairy County Quilt Show, "All For the Love of Quilting," began in Adamsville in 1980 and within a few years was adopted by the Busy Bee Quilters who moved it to Bethel Springs where it has remained ever since. Visitors to Bethel Springs will notice that the welcome signs label the town, "The Quilting Capital of Tennessee." This is no bluff! Bethel Springs has a long and rich quilting tradition with two active quilting groups working in the area. The Busy Bees have primarily sponsored the quilt show as an outreach for the The Springs UPC while continuing to quilt and promote the craft as a part of the County's cultural legacy. The Needles-n-Pins Quilters who work weekly at the Bethel Springs Community Center have been more engaged in education, participating in area cultural festivals and selling quilts to help support civic activities. The annual quilt show and sale is the town's biggest annual draw.


As the show has grown, so too have the entrants and the variety of quilts on display. The show offers theme rooms with quilts connected by technique, family tradition and various other categories. Traditional and antique quilts as well as more contemporary forms and art quilts are all included. This year Arts in McNairy is honored to have a room dedicated to the organization's mission to preserve and promote the culture of McNairy County. Additionally, an antique tractor show will take place in the parking area and the Needles-n-Pins Quilters will be demonstrating and selling quilts along with several other types of locally made crafts in the gymnasium. Lunch is also available.


The 30th Annual McNairy County Quilt Show and Sale will be held at the Springs United Pentecostal Church, 3591 Main Street, Bethel Springs, Tennessee. The show is open 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday October 15 and 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday October 16. Viewers choice award is announced at the conclusion of the show on Saturday. There is no admission charge for the quilt and craft sale and the quilt show in the main building is only $5.00. Those interested in entering quilts may bring them by the church on Saturday October 10 at 3:00 pm. There is no entry fee. Call: (731) 645-9243 for more details.