Palmerton will soon become a quilt-inspired destination complete with over 500 handmade quilts on display.

Residents are asked to show their quilts during The Airing of the Quilts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in the borough park.

Judy Borger, vice president, The Airing of the Quilts, said the event will be held in an attempt to bring business to all the local shops and restaurants.

“We hope to get homeowners involved by displaying their quilts by hanging them in their windows or outside on their porches, over their favorite porch chair, thrown over a fence or wherever they can safely showcase a quilt,” Borger said. “We encourage everyone to get those quilts out of the closet or cedar chest and give them an ‘Airing.’”

Cindy Mengel-Smith, president, The Airing of the Quilts, added, “We want businesses to come into town.”

Borger said shop owners will have quilts displayed in their windows, while the group will display quilts outside wherever they get permission to.

She said Hager Furniture has agreed to let them display quilts on their beds and couches.

Borger said a Scavenger Hunt will be held. Quilt blocks will be displayed in shops and participants have to get the list of quilt blocks stamped to be eligible for prizes.

She said the park and bandstand will be decorated, and there will be entertainment in the bandstand and strolling through town.

Borger said the Palmerton Lions Club will serve breakfast from their purple trailer, while Holy Trinity Church will be there with their Molasses Tongue cookies.

She said the Mahoning Valley Fiber Guild will demonstrate the steps of weaving fabric, and there will be an activity area for children.

Borger said antique and vintage quilts will be on display at the Living Hope Lighthouse Church.

The featured local quilter for the event is Shelba Scheffner, whose quilts will be on display at Bethany Wesleyan Church. There will also be demonstrations of hand quilting.

Quilts will be offered for sale at the Palmerton Area Library, which will keep 20% of sales to aid in their fundraising efforts.

In addition, a quilt show will be held in the high school gym, where viewers will vote on their Viewer’s Choice quilt, with the winner receiving a quilting prize.

Another featured quilter, Patricia Piasecki, will have her collection of small quilts on display.

Speakers in the auditorium will feature Arlen and Pat Christ, who are well-known for their Christ Collections and their continued quest for knowledge to secure the heritage of antique quilts. They will present their first-ever showing of 32 antique quilts purchased from the Packwood House Museum that showcases a variety of designs and styles representing Pennsylvania quilts ranging from 1840 to 1940.

Christie Washburn will do a presentation of Colors for Quilts.

Transportation will be provided to take people from the high school to town.

Borger said the idea came from the former Airing of the Quilts event that had been held in Tunkannock for many years.

Guests will have the opportunity to become a part of Palmerton’s history by having their name added to the Community Airing’s Quilt by sponsoring the vent. Call the Quilted Crow at 610-900-4700, or Borger at 202-577-5398 for more information.

Anyone who would like to submit a quilt should call the Quilted Crow for a submission form or watch for more information on Facebook or their website at theairingofthequilts.com. The deadline for quilt submission is May 4.

Nonprofit organizations may become a vendor in the park or have a fundraiser for free. Call 202-577-5398.