Stitchin’ Heaven in Quitman will be having a fall festival Oct. 8-9.

The event begins at 7 p.m. on Oct. 8 with a street dance featuring America’s Eagles Tribute band, The Long Run.

On Saturday, Oct. 9 from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Quitman will be covered in quilts, with 100 beautiful quilts hanging in Jim Hogg City Park.

The Quitman Outdoor Quilt Show will feature the first 100 people to sign up. Information can be found on their website.

Part of Richards St. will be blocked for the Friday event.

“We are going to do block party style,” said Anita Williams with Stitchin’ Heaven. “We are hoping people will just come out and have a good time. The night of the concert we are going to extend our store hours. There will be a lot of people from out of town here for this event and we don’t want to be closed for those people. We will be opened until 7 p.m. that night so they can come in and check it out. I have it on good authority there might just be some special sales for people who come that evening.”

The newly opened retreat center will be in operation at that time.

“The small cottages are almost ready. We got a little behind schedule, but that’s just how things go sometimes,” Williams added.

There will also be vendors. If anyone is interested they can get in touch with Erin Troyer at 903-760-7397.

Stitchin’ Heaven also has a project now called ‘Sew a Little Love Bug.’

“These love bugs look like lady bugs, but they are stuffed little pillows and the wings are pockets,” Williams said. “They will be donated to the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center. We are doing this for youth mental health awareness. A lot of these kids are put in situations that are beyond their control. These kids need all the encouragement they can get. Sometimes when you leave a situation all you have are the clothes on your back or in a trash bag. We are encouraging folks to make these to donate and put an encouraging note in there in the pocket.”

Stitchin’ Heaven is also celebrating 25 years in the business.

“This year around the time of the festival is our 25-year anniversary. It’s a big deal for us. A lot of people remember when our business was located in the shopping center by Brookshire’s,” Williams said. “Deb and Clay (the Luttrells) had a dream and it has really come a long way. We just want to share our success with the community and we want to celebrate. Quilt shows are a lot of fun and we wanted to do something to bring the community together. It’s our way of celebrating, but we want everybody to come celebrate with us. We are going to cover Quitman with quilts that day.”