Upper Cumberland Quilt Festival History

The Upper Cumberland Quilt Festival was organized in 1988 as a fundraiser for the Algood Senior Citizens Center and has continued to be an annual event for the City of Algood and for the Upper Cumberland Region.  The festival has been the major fundraising event for the Senior Center.  It provides an opportunity for showcasing the quilts of women (and men) of the region, state and surrounding states.   

“The U.C.Q.F. mission continues to be “To preserve the art and heritage of quilting and related arts, showcase quilts and needle arts, and provide education and a meeting place of experts in the related fields”.

 The evolution of the festival has been progressive.  The number and quality of quilts displayed at the show  has improved each year.  Quilt Guilds from the Upper Cumberland have been invited to display their guild’s quilts in historic homes for the past several years.  Attendees have been able to participate in a “Quilt Walk” to view quilts and homes. This has created interest not only in the fine quilts but also in the local architectural history of Algood.  The latest project associated with the festival is the “Quilt Trail” where quilt patterns are painted on beautiful area barns.

This festival has been made possible through the support of the community and Tennessee Arts Grants.   Local school children have been involved in various ways through the years.  Last year, Arts Classes at Algood and Baxter Schools painted patterns on blocks to be attached to barns.  Algood School Library has participated by having a quilt show in their library during the festival, using that opportunity to teach children about quilts.  It is one of the sites open during the festival.  Local City officials, Chamber of Commerce, Trinity Assembly Church, Algood United Methodist Church, Algood Furniture Store, and Burton’s Chapel Methodist Church, have provided space and have been involved each of the 20 previous years of the festival.  Masters Health Care has provided financial support, a quilt show in their dining room and staff to help with the festival.  Local banks have provided sponsorship, with Jackson Bank & Trust being this year’s sponsor.  Local radio, newspaper, television and magazines have provided advertising.  The Algood Senior Center members (especially quilters) have ownership and pride in the festival and have participated in all the activities.

A new and very successful feature was added to the Festival in 2008 in the form of a Preview Show and Dinner with a quilt and cake auction to raise additional funds.  With this feature new clientele participated as participants and contributors.