Mother's Day events abound in Red Deer this weekend — including a quilt exhibit, "mom market" and women's show.
Close to 300 colourful — sometimes wearable — quilts will be displayed in Exhibition Hall, the southern-most building at Westerner Park on Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11. The show also features 40 vendor booths, a breakfast lecture, and trunk show.
Organizer Jody Read, a member of the Central Alberta Quilters' Guild, is pleased that quilting seems to be gaining a wider following, especially among younger sewers. She said she hopes centuries-old skills are being passed down from one generation to the next.
Young people from several 4H clubs, as well as some middle and high schools have entered quilts in the youth division in this year's quilt show, said Read. Award-winning Red Deer quilter Patti Morris will be giving these young quilters a constructive critique and some pointers on improving their skills.
Read also knows several young moms who have joined quilting clubs and are taking classes and workshops. Besides being a good creative outlet, she feels "classes are great opportunities for socializing and making connections."
Displayed quilts in the show were entered in many categories, from traditional to modern design, as well as original, "improvisational" and embellished quilts, where the creators make their own pattern and designs. Read said there are even quilted jackets, purses and shoes.
The show runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admissions at the door is $15, or $25 for a two-day pass. (Children 12 and under get in for free). For more information, please visit centralalbertaquilters.org/quilt-show-details.
Also at Westerner Park is The Mom Market which runs from 10 am. to 4 p.m. on Saturday in the Harvest Centre. Fifty-plus vendors are setting up booths for what's described as an "amazing Mother's Day shopping event." Among the vendors is a photographer offering Mom and Me Mini photo sessions. There will also be a door prize for the first 100 moms to this free market.
And the Red Deer Women's Show will be on Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12, at the Pidherney Centre, next to the Servus Arena in downtown Red Deer.
With a theme of "Be Inspired and Empowered," this trade show will offer hundreds of booths with products from artisans, foodies and local businesses. A bevy of lifestyle, beauty and home products will be available, as well as a Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday.
Admission is $5 a person to the show that runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, please visit reddeerwomenshow.com/mothers-day.