Sixth Annual Rhubarb Festival and Quilt Show Success

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Submitted by Muriel Dais


The sun came out just in time to shine on the Sheep Creek Arts Council Sixth Annual Rhubarb Festival and Quilt Show held on June 4th, following the Diamond Valley Parade. A steady stream of patrons came to sample the rhubarb pie or crisp with ice cream and then feast their eyes on the thirty-two quilts on display in the Gallery. Each guest was asked to vote on the quilt felt to be most pleasing. The number four quilt, labeled “Gramma's Country Album” submitted by Claire Leitch of Okotoks, garnered the most votes and thus won
the First Place Ribbon.


Mrs. Leitch, a member of the Diamond Valley Quilters and the Chinook Quilters, said she had completed this quilt while her husband regained his health. The number twenty-seven quilt earned the second place ribbon and was the handiwork of Nancy Neufeld, also a member of Diamond Valley Quilters. Her quilt was titled “Flower Patch”. In the Board Room of the Arts council the quilts made by the Diamond Valley quilters for the Alberta Children's Hospital were hung on display and drew many favourable comments for their variety and colours. Victoria's quilts, lap quilts made to comfort cancer sufferers as “quillows”, complete with matching bags, were displayed by members, there to explain the objectives of this special group of quilters.

The tea tables set up in the large Valley Neighbours' Club rooms were eye catching with centerpieces of yellow roses carefully arranged in individual rose bowls by Barbara Ducharme, a many talented member of the Arts Council.

Thanks to the generosity of very many community members who responded to our request for fresh or frozen rhubarb, our bake table, presided over by Anna Hills and Sharon Kenney, had a wide variety of goodies containing rhubarb. Rhubarb pie or rhubarb crisp, baked by Arts Council members, was served to guests who seemed to be pleased with the fare. As always, the Rhubarb Punch made by Evelyn Richmond and served by Brenda Thompson, drew positive comments from guests. The Sheep Creek Arts Council wishes to thank all who so generously shared their rhubarb supply, baked for our Festival and those who worked to make it the success it was. Please plan to attend the Rhubarb Festival again next year as a guest of the Sheep Creek Arts Council in Turner Valley.