Haywood County Quilt Trail
The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC), along with with the Quilt Trails of WNC, will offer bus tours and a guided walking tour on April 18, during the Appalachian True Heritage Festival, which will be held Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, in downtown Waynesville. “The Haywood County Quilt Trails are a wonderful example of where art and local stories come together,” says Tonya Harwood, the HCAC executive director. “Each quilt block celebrates a family, farm, business or tradition, turning everyday spaces into public art throughout the county.”
This will be the second year that HCAC has offered the bus tours. “You get to see beautiful quilt blocks around the county while our narrator shares local history and the stories behind the blocks,” Harwood says. “The route is still coming together, but it will include stops like the Paper Crane and The Learning Tree, as well as many other Quilt Trail favorites.”
The quilt blocks are created by volunteers under the auspices of the Arts Council. “The Barn Quilt Tour celebrates the quilting traditions, storytelling and rural heritage of Western North Carolina through colorful quilt blocks displayed on barns, homes and buildings,” says the program’s coordinator Danna Bohnhoff. “Each block represents a unique story and reflects the community’s dedication to preserving the art of barn quilts. As the project has grown to include nine counties and over 200 quilt blocks, visitors can explore the region while also having the opportunity to participate in the painting process.”
Printed trail maps may be found at the Arts Council’s Haywood Handmade Gallery and at the Visit Haywood Welcome Center at Lake Junaluska. An online version of the map is also available.
New this year, HCAC will also offer a 45-minute guided Quilt Trails Walking Tour along Waynesville’s Main Street on April 18 at 10 a.m. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the Haywood Handmade Gallery where the tour begins.
Other events in conjunction with the two-day Appalachian True Heritage Festival include an Appalachian Music concert (April 17), complimentary tours of the Shelton House (April 18), and hands-on demonstrations, art vendors and live music throughout the weekend.
“Events like Appalachian Heritage Weekend are important because they give artists a chance to show and sell their work, connect with people and share their skills,” Harwood says. “At the same time, the community enjoys local art, music and culture, supports local businesses and sees traditional practices in action—helping keep those skills alive for future generations.”
Early registration for the bus tours is recommended. Tickets are $45, plus tax, per person, and tours are scheduled for 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Learn more at HaywoodArts.org.