Cunningham Children's Home to Host 22nd Annual Festival of Quilts

Two-day fundraiser showcases handmade quilts, student creations, and community tradition supporting nearly 1,000 youth and families.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:28pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a classic quilt pattern, such as a log cabin or star design, repeated in a tight grid pattern in a pop art style, capturing the vibrant energy and craftsmanship of the annual Festival of Quilts.The vibrant colors and bold patterns of handmade quilts take center stage at Cunningham Children's Home's annual Festival of Quilts, a celebration of community craftsmanship and charitable giving.Urbana Today

Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana, Illinois will host its 22nd Annual Festival of Quilts on April 10-11, featuring a vibrant showcase of handmade quilts, home decor, baked goods, and handcrafted gifts. The event will also highlight student-led projects, including herb starts, tie blankets, and vegetable plant starts, providing hands-on learning opportunities. Organizers hope to raise over $80,000 to support the 953 youth and families served annually by Cunningham through residential treatment, special education, and community-based programs.

Why it matters

The Festival of Quilts is Cunningham's signature fundraiser and reflects a long-standing tradition of care and craftsmanship, with quilters from across Illinois contributing handmade quilts to the organization since 1895. The event also coincides with the Boneyard Arts Festival and Mom's Weekend at the University of Illinois, drawing additional visitors to the community.

The details

The two-day festival will take place at the Spiritual Life Center on Cunningham's campus, running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Guests can browse and purchase more than 300 quilts, along with home decor, baked goods, and handcrafted gifts. Quilts will also be available for purchase online. In addition to items for sale, attendees can view 'show' quilts on loan, highlighting intricate designs and quilting traditions.

  • The 22nd Annual Festival of Quilts will take place on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The players

Cunningham Children's Home

A nonprofit organization that provides residential treatment, special education, and community-based programs to support 953 youth and families annually.

Colleen Combes

Cunningham's events and volunteer specialist.

CIRCLE Academy Vermilion

A school that has created tie blankets for sale at the festival.

Intro to Agriculture students

Students who have grown vegetable plant starts that will be available for purchase at the festival.

United Women in Faith

A group of quilters from across Illinois who have contributed handmade quilts to Cunningham since 1895.

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What they’re saying

“The generosity and creativity behind this year's donations have been so inspiring. We've got everything from timeless vintage quilts to bold, beautifully designed new pieces—each with its own story.”

— Colleen Combes, Cunningham's events and volunteer specialist

What’s next

The Festival of Quilts is part of the Boneyard Arts Festival and coincides with Mom's Weekend at the University of Illinois, drawing additional visitors to the community.

The takeaway

The Festival of Quilts is a long-standing tradition that celebrates the craftsmanship and community spirit of Cunningham Children's Home, while also providing hands-on learning opportunities for students and raising funds to support the organization's vital programs for youth and families.