Wanted: More Barns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2009

Wanted: More Barns

Barn Quilts of Kankakee County was a project created in 2008 to celebrate and honor the rural heritage of our county. Twenty farm buildings across Kankakee County now showcase a colorful variety of quilt block patterns. This project has been marketed to promote agricultural heritage, the arts, agritournism and volunteerism. Hundreds have traveled the self-guided driving tour. Thousands more have done the virtual tour at kankakee.extension.uiuc.edu.! We are looking to add at least ten more barns for 2010.

Criteria for Barn Quilts:

• Barn/farm outbuilding must be at least 50 years old and structurally sound on a well-maintained farm
• Barn should be visible from a paved road with a safe pull-off area for viewing and photography

The quilt block will be painted on 8' x 8' construction material that will then be professionally hung for viewing on the barn or outbuilding. A number of traditional quilt block patterns are available that lend themselves well for this creative project. Committee members are eager to help with appropriate selection.

Applications and details for site consideration are available from University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County and online at kankakee.extension.uiuc.edu. Applications for the 2010 crop of barns will be accepted through March 1, 2010.

Partnering groups include: University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County; Kankakee County Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Kankakee Quiltmakers.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the County Office at least two weeks prior to the event. University of Illinois Extension offers practical, research-based programs that help people improve their lives and address critical community issues involving youth, families, economics, health and natural resources.