The Vermont Quilt Festival, named a Top Ten Summer Event by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, attracts thousands of quilt enthusiasts from around the world. New England's oldest and largest annual quilt event runs from June 29-July 1 at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, Vermont and offers exhibits of more than 400 breathtaking new and antique quilts, 75 lectures and workshops, featuring renowned quilt artists, classes for children and a colorful display of wares in its Merchant Mall. Warren Kimble, noted artist and activist, will make an appearance at this year's Festival to debut his new line of fabric for Quilting Treasures of Rhode Island. The Festival is also proud to be partnering with the Shelburne Museum to bring Festival visitors exclusive private, guided tours and a behind-the-scenes class. Enjoy free and informative gallery talks, appraisals of new and antique quilts, fun kids programs and more.
   
Festivities begin on Thursday, June 28, with the Awards Ceremony at 7pm, honoring the quilt contest winners and awarding the Governor's and Lt. Governor's Awards. The official ribbon-cutting and Champagne and Chocolate Preview begin at 7:30pm (Event sponsored by Quilting Treasures of Rhode Island; chocolate sponsored by Lake Champlain Chocolates of Burlington).  Preview tickets are $12 payable at the door. The appraisal service for antique quilts is available Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Exhibits and the Merchants Mall are open to the public Friday and Saturday from 9am to 6pm; Sunday from 9am to 3pm. Daily admission is $10, seniors $9, children under 14 free.
   
Highlights include: "New York Beauties," an exceptional collection of 75 antique quilts; sponsored by Quilters Newsletter Magazine, Shelburne Museum and Yankee Pride Quilt Shop. For antique lovers, this is a treasure trove of 19th century textiles. "Small and Smaller," a collection of child-oriented quilts, shows the progression of small quilt design during a hundred-year period; sponsored by Windham Fabrics. "Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece," curated by Ami Simms and sponsored by the Fletcher Allen Health Care Neurology Department, is a traveling exhibit of quilts by quilt notables to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research. "M. Joan Lintault: A True Original" features the work of the renowned art quilter. "The Fabric of Friendship," sponsored by Country Treasures, showcases the bold, beautiful work of three contemporary quilters. Each year the Festival recognizes the work of a Vermont Guild. This year, Maple Leaf Quilters of Rutland will exhibit 40 quilts from guild members.
   
For information about the VT Quilt Festival, visit http://www.vqf.org   email info@vqf.org