The second annual Airing of the Quilts in Palmerton did not disappoint. Quilts, quilts and more quilts enhanced the beauty of this small town in Pennsylvania.

Entering the town from Route 248 leads to the main street, Delaware Avenue and that is where you were first greeted with the welcome to Palmerton sign decorated with three quilts.

From there businesses, churches and restaurants had quilts hanging on the railings, over banisters, in their windows, and out of their windows as you headed down Delaware Avenue to the large, serene Palmerton Park in the middle of town. Quilts of all different colors, sizes and designs captured your attention.

I got into town early to take photos before the event started because rain was on the radar, but luckily it never showed. Town was at the normal pace at 8 a.m., but as I meandered my way down Delaware Avenue more people were on the sidewalks because the event started at 9 a.m. and went until 5 p.m.

In the park was the information tent where people could pick up the booklet that contained a map of the food options, buildings and places with quilts, schedule of events, bus stops, and the scavenger hunt. Plus, there was the Vote for Viewer’s Choice Quilt on the back of the book. The Bandstand, which houses the Concourse Club’s Summer Concerts and is one of the town’s focal points, got a face-lift with quilts.

There were more than 500 quilts between outside downtown Palmerton, inside several Palmerton buildings in town, High School, St. John’s Lutheran Church on Fireline Road and personal quilts that people put out at their homes.

Bustling town

Now, the town was starting to bustle, and George’s yellow school buses were picking up and dropping at several stops throughout town. There were 10 locations that were part of the scavenger hunt, and each had a wooden block painted like a quilt block. Also in the park, there were people spinning yarn, hand quilting, live music and people taking it in.

Passing all the smiles, I started to ask where people were from. Some people were from the surrounding towns, while others were from New York, New Jersey, Delaware and as far as Texas. The Texas ladies built their vacation around this show. They came early to travel to Niagara Falls, Lancaster, Hershey and then to be in Palmerton on Saturday, and were going to start heading home with a few stops along the way.

Vintage quilts

The Living Hope Lighthouse Church was the location that housed the Antique and Vintage quilts. It’s the perfect location, because as you walk into the church its stunning stained glass windows allow beautiful light onto these treasures. Just walking through this collection, I had wished they could tell stories from the past. I’m sure some have been handed down generation to generation and some of the styles, colors and patterns were so unique.

Many stops

The Palmerton Library had quilts and table runners for sale upstairs. The historic building is lovely, but with the quilts draped over the banisters on the second floor it made it even more magical of a space.

When I entered at 9 a.m., it was full of beautiful creations just waiting for the right person to buy them and when I returned at 4 p.m., a lot had been sold.

The Palmerton Area Heritage Center was part of the Scavenger Hunt, and the normal historical space was transformed into a space of artistic design and talent of some of the members quilts. Different colors and patterns filled the two rooms.

Heading to Bethany Wesleyan Church, I was excited to see what was just waiting to be seen.

So, this church has a huge space with just the right amount of natural light spilling in to see the meticulous work of several quilters. Terry Berger, who was demonstrating hand quilting, told me about several of the quilts he there.

What I learned from talking to several quilters throughout the day was that every quilt has its own unique story. The colors and patterns are only part of it, and I understand why some don’t want to sell their creations because they are filled with love.

Palmerton Area High School’s colors are blue and white, which can be seen throughout town.

At the Palmerton Senior Center, located in the Ambulance building. blue and white filled the space and were delightful to look at. There, I learned how to tell the difference between hand verses machine stitched. Machine stitches are closer to each other and hand stitched has a little more space in between.

Hager Furniture was next on my list. The store was transformed into a great display space for quilts. The mattresses were covered with gorgeous quilts, and quality furniture like tables had runners adorning them. Even the numerous recliners and couches were draped with many more quilts.

I decided to walk a little more, and from a distance, I saw sunlight hit something and sparkle. As I got closer, I met Lexi Lesher, Fair Princess; and Macie Spickler, Fair Little Miss from Schuylkill County.

Walking allowed me to meet a lot of people from all over and listened to the conversations about them enjoying the town of Palmerton and the event. I can’t even sew a button myself, but you do not need to know how to sew have fun at the “Airing of the Quilts.”

St. John’s Towamensing Lutheran Church is another stunning Palmerton church. All the quilts that decorated it were loaned from members of their church. They draped the pews and hung over the upstairs railing. Truly, it was a lovely sight.

The Palmerton High School was another main location for this event, the gym had a large display of quilts and vendors. Again, the different style quilts amazed me. Some have a more traditional look or pattern and then others are a scene or object. Also, the sewing machines and longarm quilting machines, in action, were fun to watch.

Lots of respect

Last year taught me there was more to quilting than what I thought, but this year deepened my appreciation and respect. Even though I don’t have the patience, sewing skill or talent to make a quilt, I find this event heartwarming. It’s a part of history and was done originally out of necessity and has become a beautiful art form.

Judy Borger, one of the Airing of the Quilts planning group, was at the information table in the park all day and was told often, “Thank you for doing this. We loved it and had so much fun.”

Honestly for me, the hours flew by, and I enjoyed seeing all the quilts, meeting people from all over, running into people I knew, listening to Jeni Hackett play guitar and sing in the Bandstand, and catching the band 14th & Spring on the corner of Fourth and Delaware playing jazz.

The businesses and restaurants looked busy, too. When I stopped in at Taking Deeper Roots, there were several people checking out her display and shop. Talking to the owner of Bert’s Steakhouse and Restaurant and the One Ten Tavern, both said they were busy all day long and enjoyed hearing all the positive comments about the event and the town. One of the couples, from Buffalo N.Y., who were at Bert’s only take one vacation a year and this was what they chose to do this year.

The great thing about small-town America is easily noticed at events like these. The town comes together and the feeling of pride of town, and its history and area can be felt.

Maybe next year

Did you miss this event this year? Well, put May 2, 2026, on your calendar, because that is when the third annual Airing of the Quilts will be in Palmerton.

The event’s planning group wants to thank everyone who helped make this event possible and hopes everyone enjoyed the day. Those ladies are Judy Borger, Sharon Gower, Cheryl Ann Hank, Cindy Mengel-Smith and Terri Sheckler.

Borger said, “Thank you to everyone that allowed us to borrow their quilts and had them on display.”

Our nation celebrates its 250th Birthday next year. Yes, there will be red, white, and blue quilts, so quilters start those stunning creations.