The Greenup Quilt Guild has organized and facilitated a Quilt Show at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park for 30+ years. After the pandemic shut-down of events, there was a concern that the show would not be able to return. Guild members rallied, along with the local Community Arts agent, to bring the show back and make it bigger and better than ever! Partnering with the local state park’s new management and the local tourism commission, plans were made to include a wider variety of heritage art in addition to quilting which led to the establishment of Handcrafted Weekend at Greenbo Lodge in 2023. 

Handcrafted Weekend is proud of its anchor quilt show event and also the many artists, artisans, and crafters who demonstrate their talents and skills. Some of these people are also vendors who have their handcrafted items for sale. The quilters reported that the addition of this programming doubled, maybe tripled, their attendance. The entire park lodge is filled with displays, demonstrations, and classes that are open to all ages and skill levels. Because of generous local sponsorship, admission is free and many of the classes are free or have a small registration fee. 

Tourism and the local creative economy benefits from Handcrafted Weekend. All artists are compensated for their time and effort. The park reports high reservation numbers and also a very busy restaurant during the event. Community pride is lifted and families enjoy the educational as well as entertainment components of the event. Attendees reported a newfound appreciation for heritage arts and skills and many said they wanted to learn how to do the things they witnessed by being at the event.