After several years without a local quilt show, the Sunshine Quilts Show returns this weekend, bringing colour, craftsmanship and community spirit to ODAS Park.
The show, hosted by the Orillia Quilters Guild, runs Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at ODAS Park, at 4500 Fairgrounds Road. Organizers say the event marks a long‑awaited opportunity for the guild to showcase both its creative work and its community outreach.
“We have not had a quilt show in a number of years,” Guild member Heather Lewis told Barrie 360. “It's a chance for the quilters to show off their work as well as the outreach work they do for the community.”
Quilting itself has evolved significantly over the years, organizers say, moving beyond its traditional roots into a more expressive art form.
“Quilting has really morphed into more of an art form,” Lewis said. Traditional quilting will be featured, "but then we're also going to have wall hangings, as well as quilts from our members that really show off their artistic ability."
In addition to contemporary pieces, the show will also include a historical quilt display curated by a guild member who collects antique quilts. That exhibit explores how quilting has changed over time, including examples made from unconventional materials when cotton was scarce.
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Community impact is a major focus of the guild’s work. Quilts created by members are regularly donated to local hospitals, hospice care and seniors’ homes. This weekend’s show will also include a raffle, with all proceeds going to Mariposa House Hospice. The raffle prizes include a collaborative quilt made from individual blocks created by guild members, as well as a gift basket filled with assorted items.
Visitors can also browse a members’ boutique and a vendors’ market offering quilting supplies and gift items. On‑site services will include blade and scissor sharpening, and a small café will be open for those looking to enjoy a light lunch during their visit.
Admission to the Sunshine Quilts Show is $10 per person, with payment accepted by cash or debit.
Organizers say the show is designed to appeal not only to experienced quilters but also to anyone curious about the craft, its history, or its growing role as a form of artistic expression.
“We're super excited about it!”
The Sunshine Quilts Show runs Friday and Saturday at ODAS Park.
