Event set for April 25 along County Road 29 in Wilcox County
Bend Spring Yard Show offers a new avenue to experience the unique artistry, rich history, and living legacy that has made the area’s quilters internationally renowned.
The community-wide, open-air gathering along County Road 29 in the Wilcox County community of Boykin is set for Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features everything to love about Gee’s Bend quilters—neighbors sharing quilts, handiwork, and pieces of local history right from their own yards, just as they have for generations.
“Hanging quilts on the line brings back the good old days,” said Gee’s Bend quilter Mary Margaret Pettway. “It’s a sign of spring — a time of renewal, and a chance to give new life to the quilts.”
In contrast to formal museum exhibits, the Gee’s Bend Spring Yard Show offers a personal, relaxed, and community-led experience. Visitors can stroll at their own pace, stop and visit, and connect with the people and stories that run deep in the community. Quilts and other handmade items will also be available for purchase from participating quilters.
The event is organized by Visit Gee’s Bend, a community-led destination marketing initiative developed in partnership with local residents, artists, and organizations to support sustainable tourism in the area. Gee’s Bend offers a variety of year-round cultural experiences, which can be explored through its website and social media platforms (@visitgeesbend).
“Through Visit Gee’s Bend, we’re building something that allows visitors to experience our culture in a way that benefits the people who live here,” said Gloria Carey, Advisory Board member. “The Yard Show is a beautiful example of that in action.”
A suggested $25 contribution helps support the event, and advance registration is encouraged. Online registration is available at: https://events.humanitix.com/gees-bend-yardshow.
Food and refreshments may be available along the route through independent vendors. Registered guests will receive a map of yard locations by email during the week of the event. The first 100 registered attendees who contribute $25 or more will also receive a one-of-a-kind letterpress poster, designed by Hatch Show Print to commemorate the occasion.
Promotional images, graphics, and additional media materials are available upon request or via shared link.
“The Gee’s Bend quilters are internationally renowned for their unique artistry, and the Spring Yard Show gives everyone a chance to get up-close and personal with these amazing quilters,” said Pam Swanner of the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association, which is supporting the event. “This is a cultural experience that can only be found in Alabama’s Black Belt.”
The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association is committed to promoting and enhancing outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities in the region in ways that provide economic and ecological benefits to local communities. For more information, visit: www.alabamablackbeltadventures.org.
