Myriad colors will soon blanket downtown Palmerton.

Up to as many as 1,000 handmade quilts are expected to be displayed throughout during the third annual The Airing of the Quilts in Palmerton.

The event will be held rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in downtown Palmerton, as well as Palmerton Area High School, and St. John Neumann Regional School.

The quilters will be at the high school, while the vendors will be at St. John Neumann Regional School.

There will be various quilts and vendors in the Palmerton Borough Park.

Cindy Mengel-Smith, president for The Airing of the Quilts, explained the purpose of the event.

“It’s to promote the businesses and restaurants in town,” Mengel-Smith said. “And to inspire quilters with all the inspirations.”

Sharon Gower, treasurer, said the event will further serve to showcase America250.

“Quilting has gone from utilitarian to a piece of artwork,” Gower said. “We’re looking forward to decorating Delaware Avenue in the red, white and blue.”

St. John Neumann will have vendors with artisans and crafters. The quilt show will be held at Palmerton Area High School. There will be quilt displays at local churches.

There will also be a scavenger hunt for valuable prizes. There is also free parking at the high school with shuttle bus to the venues.

Other activities include a bed-turning event at Hager’s Furniture; a basket raffle for the Sew What Quilt Guild from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Palmerton Area Library, with quilts for sale at the Palmerton Area Library to support both the library and the Sew What Quilt Guild, with 20% of the sales to benefit the library.

Bethany Wesleyan Church will have a featured collage quilter, Barbara Blackmon-Guffak, who will be offering demonstrations on how to do collage quilting and have displays of her artwork. The Mahoning Valley Fiber Guild will also be on hand doing Sheep to Shawl demonstrations.

Living Hope Lighthouse Church in Palmerton will have antique and vintage quilts made before the 1970s displayed in their sanctuary.

The “Freedom” raffle quilt was made by Gower, who pieced and quilted the quilt with her business, Longarm Charm Quilting, using the star crossed pattern. The fabric was manufactured by Moda. The quilt measures 66 inches by 82 inches. The drawing will be held on Dec. 1. The winner will be contacted by phone. If they are out of town at the time of the drawing, the quilt will be sent to them.

Tickets can be purchased at St. John Neumann Regional School on Saturday. After Saturday, tickets may be purchased at The Quilted Crow.

For more information, visit theairingofthequilts.com.