The Los Banos Arts Council’s Pumpkin Patch Quilt Show is returning September 6–7, bringing two full days of handmade quilts, vendors, food and a heartfelt Hometown Hero Ceremony. Admission is $10 and covers both days of the event, which takes place at the Ted Falasco Arts Center on 5th Street.
The event kicks off Saturday, Sept. 6, at 9 a.m. with the Hometown Hero Ceremony, a tribute to local veterans and first responders who are each presented with a patriotic quilt made by members of the Los Banos Quilt Guild.
“We read a short biography about each person, and then they stand by their quilt. When the ceremony is done, they get to take it home,” said Cathy Silva, co-leader of the Quilt Guild and chairperson for the Hometown Hero program.
The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and American Legion Post 166 will present colors at the opening, and the national anthem will be sung as part of the ceremony. “It’s a very inspiring event,” Silva added. “This will be our 13th or 14th year doing it.”
Following the ceremony, the doors open to the quilt show at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday (10 a.m. on Sunday), featuring nearly 200 quilts and other textile projects displayed throughout the historic church-turned-arts center. Each quilt includes a description of who made it, why and what inspired the design.
Visitors will also find vendor booths lining the walls and stage. “We’ll have a vendor selling African baskets, another with purses, plus fabric vendors and woodworking,” Silva said. “There’s something for everyone.” Two additional vendor booths will be located in nearby buildings outside the Arts Center.
A highlight of Saturday’s events will be a special “bed turning” presentation at 11 a.m. by quilt historian Marianne Bloom. “She researches antique quilts that our members bring in — maybe passed down from parents or grandparents — and tells the story behind each one,” said Silva.
The event also features raffle baskets assembled by guild volunteers, with themes like Halloween, gardening, Christmas and more. “We usually have at least 14 baskets. People buy raffle tickets — six for five dollars — and choose which baskets they want to try for,” Silva explained. Winners are drawn Sunday afternoon.
Lunch will be available for purchase both days, and the venue will be decorated throughout the week, starting on Labor Day, leading up to the show, with patriotic quilts hung outside to greet visitors.
Silva, who joined the Quilt Guild in 2010, said all proceeds from the event, after expenses, go back into supporting the Los Banos Arts Council. “We spend the whole week prepping — hanging quilts, decorating, getting everything just right.”
She also reflected on her leadership of the Hometown Hero program, which she took over from guild member Judy West. “It’s evolved a bit over time. I don’t see it changing much now — we’ve got a great network of people helping us get nominations and making quilts. We usually give out 12 to 14 quilts each year.”
For those interested in attending, the Pumpkin Patch Quilt Show runs Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ted Falasco Arts Center. Admission is $10 and covers both days.
