Imagine the surprise when a group of Westside friends, including Jo Ann Hamamura, Debra Factora and Carol Abreu, decided to fund the first Waimea Outdoor Quilt Festival out of their own pockets for love of their craft and the town,
Imagine the surprise when a group of Westside friends, including Jo Ann Hamamura, Debra Factora and Carol Abreu, decided to fund the first Waimea Outdoor Quilt Festival out of their own pockets for love of their craft and the town, and 85 quilts ended up hanging from one end of the town to the other.
They’re doing it again this year, this Saturday, Aug. 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with quilt central being Hofgaard Park in the center of town, right along Kaumuali‘i Highway.
“We’re doing it because of the joy it gives us,” said Hamamura, one of the committee members who have formed a nonprofit organization under the West Kauai Business and Professional Association to continue the festival.
They are the Waimea Outdoor Quilt Festival Committee, and this year got some funding from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
Leading up to the event, the ladies have been hosting weekly quilting talk-story sessions at the West Kauai Technology & Visitors Center in Waimea, where volunteer speakers talked about their creations, techniques, and philosophies. The RSVP deadline for those wishing to hang their quilts in this unique town celebration is this Friday, Aug. 13.
Those interested may call Hamamura, 337-9163 or 482-1511, or email her at commonmango@midpac.
net. Local and visiting quilters will display their creations, and most will be available to answer questions about their inspirations, materials and techniques.
The quilts will hang from trees and other places, in and around the park, and all around town, Hamamura said. Outdoor quilt festivals are big on the Mainland, she concluded.
