First annual vintage country fair starts

HARRINGTON – Harrington's First Annual Vintage Country Fair officially started June 26 at 11 a.m. with temperatures in the 90s and functioned through 3 p.m., when the heat touched 101 degrees as the fair closed down. Mayor Luck orchestrated a safety area between the vendors and traffic, marked off parking lines, put up signs and safety tape prior to the event. The Homemakers were located in the shade of the repurposed grain bin where they sold out in record time. Several attendees commented about the small representation of vintage farm equipment, stating that they would have gladly brought equipment for display had they been informed. The balloon creations by John Morey, as well as the photo opportunity of holes cut for faces in a portrait of a farmer and his wife provided good fun. Specific totals were not obtained but several of the vendors said they were pleased with the income for their efforts. Many satisfied customers of the Tribune (from Davenport), which had a vendor tent with a barbecue set up from which they were cooking each order, commented on the food.

The Harrington Opera House was open 9-3 on Friday, June 25 for its rummage sale and the debut of its new Vintage Shoppe, where a steady flow of traffic brought in a sizable income in donations in both areas. The Vintage Shoppe did not detract from the wide selection of items in the rummage section. Shoppers were delighted with great finds in both areas. Saturday visitors had the additional pleasure of the overflow of music from the Opera House auditorium presented during the Quilt Show. Linda Wagner played piano and alternated with Karen Robertson playing the dulcimer.

Saturday was the Harrington Opera House Society's first event since Covid lockdowns began, a re-opening following the pandemic. Tours were given, but the main event was a spectacular quilt show organized by Paula Harrington of Studio 1, which displayed the typical wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, topics and styles. One of the quilted projects depicted martini glasses, (currently used as a table cover); others highlighted houses or wildflowers. One particularly vibrant wildflower quilt required a close inspection to detect the intricate combination of fabric piecework and final stitching, the flowers appear to be dancing in the wind. An interesting wall hanging showed the months of the year; another was a Tic Tac Toe game with chicks, carrots and bunnies. One unique quilt depicted the stages of quilt-making which attracted considerable conversation. It showed "I Love to Quilt" in the first square, while fabrics, threads, pincushion, sewing machine and an iron were in some of the other squares. Another quilt was a study in contrasts with shades of gray, black and white, artistically designed with geometric shapes. With so much talent portrayed in so many creations, it is truly unfair to comment on only a handful of items. Mary Overmyer served as greeter in the lobby, welcoming folks to the Opera House, directing them to the elevator and rest rooms and she conducted the sales for the raffle for a quilt. Standing at the top of the staircase, viewers were greeted by a dress form robed in patchwork colors. One could nearly say "hello." People appeared to be enjoying the displays, as well as visiting with fellow quilters and learning what projects others are working on.