Quilt Gardens’ 2025 season kicks off with flower deliveries and planting
ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- Elkhart County is getting ready for one of its most colorful traditions, the Quilt Gardens.
Thursday is delivery and planting day at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds, which has people's excitement blooming.
"This is a beloved attraction that has won awards from the Indiana Tourism Association and the American Bus Association and many, many of our visitors plan to come every year at some point in the summer to see and experience the Quilt Gardens. It really marks an unofficial start to the summer season for us," Director of Communications and Public Relations at the Elkhart County Visitors Bureau Terry Mark said.
The Quilt Gardens are made of 16 floral displays planted in quilt patterns all across Elkhart County from downtown Elkhart to Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, and Bristol.
For people who are interested in participating, they can start at the Elkhart County Visitors Center to get a map, guides and all the information needed to have a good time.
Mark says each garden tells its own story, blending history with heritage.
"Gardens are kind of a celebration of our own cultural heritage because it ties in the quilting and fabric art that are very popular and part of our history here in Elkhart County. People love the garden and see pretty flowers, and so it connects in that way. It's something that you can do for free at home in your hometown for local residents," Mark said.
According to Mark, the event draws more than 200,000 visitors each year.
"It impacts it by bringing in a steady stream of visitors throughout the summer. People are able to layer experiences by visiting Quilt Gardens for part of the day and then perhaps having a nice dinner or seeing a show while they're in town in Elkhart or Middlebury or Goshen, and then they're able to have just a wonderful, relaxing experience for a couple of days with their friends and their family," Mark said.
The Quilt Gardens starts on May 30 and lasts until Sept. 15.