The Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau have made applications available for 2013 DeWitt County Barn Quilts tour.

2013 will be the third year for Barn Quilts here in DeWitt County. A commitee of 6 members began discussing this new tradition in 2010. The group, then, took a trip to Kanakee to see their communities' barn quilts and used them as a resource in setting up DeWitt County's displays. Carolyn Sugg, Tourism Director with the Chamber of Commerce, mentions that each year has progressively had more people getting involved with the tour.

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Sugg feels there are many beautiful barns in DeWitt County and while many doubted there would be enough, driving through local rural areas proved to her there would be plenty of space for the tour. The history of many local barns are also a point of great interest.

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There is a good amount of work put into these tours each year. Accoring to Sugg, preparations begin each Fall. The search for barns for their quilts are usually very time consuming. Making the quilt pattern and painting the quilt are quite time consuming as well.

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Applications for Barn Quilts are now available. You can call the Chamber office at 935-3364 or toll free at 1-866-4-DEWITT. You can also use their website at www.clintonilchamber.com. The Barn Quilts of DeWitt County are seeking 10 more barns for 2013. That would take their total to 30 quilts around rural DeWitt County.