Switzer Covered Bridge Festival Planned For September 25 At Historic Bridge

By Toni Lewis, Contributing Writer, Secretary to the Switzer Ruritan Club

 

The Switzer Ruritan Club has been sponsoring Switzer Covered Bridge Days for over 20 years. It is held the last Saturday in September, this year it is on September 25. This year’s festival has a special twist. Like in the year 2000, they held a quilt show on Bridge Day. Now in 2010, they are doing it again, in conjunction with North Fork Baptist Church. The festival and the show are community outreach efforts of the club to share their unique heritage with friends, family, and community.

 

The festival invites everyone to enjoy the autumn weather in fellowship outside, taste the fish fry for lunch, enjoy the musical entertainment, go shopping at the craft booths, buy a Switzer Bridge tee shirt or coffee mug, buy a raffle ticket to win a handmade quilt (proceeds go in the club’s scholarship fund), and of course stroll through the historical, wooden covered bridge. You can even bring your fishing pole and try your luck in the Elkhorn Creek. Booth space is free, must call Lureen Wiley at 695-2266 to reserve space.

 

The quilt show at the church is a wonderful way to show off the talents of local quilters and share quilts that have been handed down in families for generations. To attend the show a ticket is $2 at the door (all proceeds go for historical bridge maintenance via the Ruritan Club). We welcome all entries. There are 12 blue ribbon categories: baby quilt; all machine made; all handmade; both machine and handmade; tee shirt quilt; cross stitch; youth made quilt (younger than age 18); antique quilt made before 1960; holiday theme quilt; appliqué; photo quilt; and other quilted articles. The cost is $5 per entry. And for $2 you can be a judge for the People’s Choice Award, after viewing all the quilts in the church just vote for which quilt you like the best overall! All entries will be taken at the Switzer Ruritan Clubhouse on the following days: Friday, September 10 at 4 p.m. – 6 p.m; Saturday September 11 at 10 a.m.- 2 p.m; and Sunday September 12 from  2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Our goal is to display over 100 quilts in the sanctuary at the church. You may call Susan at 695.5126 or Toni at 695.2878 for details.

 

The historic wooden covered bridge spanning the north fork of the Elkhorn Creek, the church, and the clubhouse are within walking distance of each other. They are located at the four way stop of state highways 1689 and 1262 in northern Franklin County. Parking is at the church. There will be a shuttle running between all 3 sites. Come join us for a leisurely and pleasant day in the country. Welcome!