More than just a quilt show

KATINA CURTIS

BERRY’S winter social scene starts on Friday with the annual Quilt and Craft Show champagne opening night gala.

Show organiser Jennifer Stewart said the evening was always great fun.

“There’s no children and a lot of guys come too and it’s a great, entertaining night,” she said.

As well as champagne, donated by Justin Lill Wines and The Grange, there will be finger food made by various Berry cafes and restaurants, entertainment by Bomaderry Lions Club band Pride and live and silent auctions.

Prizes for the auctions have been donated by many Berry businesses.

Ms Stewart said organisers expected more than 150 quilts and craft items to be on display at the Berry School of Arts this weekend.

“We get quilts from Canberra and Sydney and all over and we get them in all sizes – it could be something that gets thrown over a chair or it could be made for a queen-size bed,” she said.

This year, for the first time, the show will include a challenge competition, with the theme Berry: Where It All Begins. Prizes for over and under 12 years in the categories of best interpretation of the theme, best use of colour and judges’ choice will be announced at the opening night gala.

Tying in with this theme, Berry Chamber of Commerce and Historical Society will mount a joint exhibition in the back room about the town’s history.

“As well as quilts, we’ve got a fantastic café that will be doing Devonshire teas, quiches, soups and there will be a sausage sizzle,” Ms Stewart said. “We try to do things so the dads aren’t bored and the kids aren’t bored.”

There will also be a raffle for a quilt donated by the Berry Patchwork Shop and stalls selling craft products.

The quilt show serves as the major annual fundraiser run by Berry Public School’s P&C and all money raised goes to the school.

The Quilt and Craft Show is open at Berry School of Arts on Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am to 4pm. Entry is $5.

The champagne opening night is on Friday from 7.30pm. Tickets are $12 if pre-purchased from the Berry Patchwork Shop or $15 at the door.