Quilt tour could be next tourist draw

Commissioner says quilt square tours are the perfect way to showcase the area’s heritage.

County Commissioner Marilyn Reid, Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Kathleen Young and Kathi Bingamon, New Jasper Twp. Trustee hope to start a quilt square tour in Greene County.

Christopher Magan/Staff photo County Commissioner Marilyn Reid, Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Kathleen Young and Kathi Bingamon, New Jasper Twp. Trustee hope to start a quilt square tour in Greene County.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Visitors on the quilt tour would follow quilt square patterns woven into the facades of local farms, businesses and other facilities.

Christopher Magan/Staff photo Visitors on the quilt tour would follow quilt square patterns woven into the facades of local farms, businesses and other facilities. "It's almost like having sculpture around the county," Greene County Commissioner Marilyn Reid said.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Christopher Magan, Staff Writer 2:38 PM Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Some Greene County leaders hope to sew the popularity of quilting into the area’s next tourism attraction.

County Commissioner Marilyn Reid, Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Kathleen Young and New Jasper Twp. Trustee Kathi Bingamon are moving forward with an idea that could create art attractions around the county.

Their idea is to start a quilt tour to allow visitors to follow quilt square patterns woven into the facades of local farms, businesses and other facilities. The patterns are normally painted on barns and other agricultural buildings, but could be erected anywhere — in a flower garden or next door to a place of business, they said.

“It brings a community together,” said Reid. “People choose patterns they like. It’s almost like having sculpture around the county.”

Young said the visitors bureau would market the tour with a map and other literature once it got up and running. Several other counties already have their own tours established, including Miami County. The idea first appeared in Adams County.

Reid believes the quilt square tours will be a perfect way to showcase the area’s heritage. “In tough times, people are really trying to go back to basics, the comforts of life,” she said.

The three are now working to create a committee to get the idea off the ground. Anyone interested can contact the visitors bureau at (937) 429-9100.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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