Wrangell's Stikine Stitchers quilting guild is gearing up for its annual Fourth of July quilt show - a tradition that began exactly two decades ago to brighten the town's storefronts.

Organizer Joan Benjamin expects 12 to 15 quilters to display their intricate creations at various downtown businesses from June 23 to July 14.

The quilt show's origins trace back to 2005. With several storefronts vacant following the sawmill closure and multiple store locations becoming empty, guild members sought a way to add vibrancy to the community.

"Fourth of July was coming up and so somebody in the guild said, 'Well, why not put our quilts down there?'" Benjamin recalled. "I've been doing it ever since."

This will be the 19th year for the quilt display - the only year missing was 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benjamin believes the enduring appeal of quilting, both for creators and admirers, lies in the detailed and often complex patterns. "A lot of them are pretty intricate and they're hard to put together," she said, adding that many people don't realize the extensive work involved until they try it themselves. She said participating in the guild can be fun, as well as educational.

"Some members will share new patterns or techniques they have learned," she added.

Quilting methods vary widely among participants, from machine stitching to meticulous hand-quilting. The finished products also range greatly in size, from small, postcard-sized wall hangings to expansive king-sized quilts.

The time commitment for each piece also differs significantly. "Some people can just sit down and put a quilt together rather quickly," Benjamin explained, "but it usually takes (others) a couple of months."

Benjamin said she anticipates as many as 30 quilts will be on display, and said it could be more than that number.

"It's difficult to say, because there will be quilts; but there will also be smaller wall-hangings that basically look like small quilts," she said. "But I'm sure it will all be a vibrant display as usual."