By Angela Hatton
Paducah., KY – The American Quilter's Society Show and Contest gets underway today in Paducah. Over thirty thousand attendees will visit the region through the weekend. The majority of those are seniors. A 2006 intercept survey from the Kentucky Department of Travel found only thirty percent of quilt show visitors are under the age of 55. However, National Quilt Museum Public Affairs Director Jessica Byassee doesn't see quilting dying out anytime soon.
"We've seen younger people coming through, even in general. I thinks always goes in spurts and in cycles. And, and I think your textile art' is really coming back into hipness."
Byassee says the museum has encouraged younger people to participate in quilting through programs like the School Block Challenge. Local children create quilt blocks for display at the museum. Visitors can find information and regional activities related to the quilt show on this website.