The Manteca Quilt & Doll Show is an event that perennially draws thousands of people to the Family City, many of them from out of town.

This year, the 32nd weekend attraction could potentially generate an even bigger audience with the addition of two internationally renowned names into the popularity and talent equation. They are Cathie Hoover from the Central Valley, and Elinor Peace Bailey who is a well known artist, doll artist, lecturer, teacher and author. Both are the show’s featured artists this year.

Hoover will have many of her wearable art creations as well as several of her wall quilts that will be on display both days of the show, said Judy Quiner of the Manteca Quilters Guild which sponsors this annual attraction.

“She has a lot of history right here” in the Central Valley, she said of Hoover. “She prides herself in being a third-generation native Californian and earned her B.S. in Home Economics at Chico State College.”

Hoover currently resides in the “dairy-rich” city “Moo-desto” with her husband and six grandchildren.

Quiner described Peace Bailer as an artist with a “whimsical talent” coupled with a “vivacious personality.”

Featured at the show set for the weekend of March 1-2 at the MRPS Hall on Grant Street in downtown Manteca will be 20 vendors from all over California and Nevada.

But that won’t be all. As is the case every year, there are many other attractions at the two-day show. There are the ever popular gift baskets showcasing various fun themes. And there will be an 18-inch doll – “our most popular doll,” Quiner said – which will be on display along with “her wonderful wardrobe made by several of our talented members. An unbelievable delight for the young at heart.”

There will be the usual Boutique with Grandma’s Closet as well, plus quilting demonstrations. Rounding out the attractions will be such varied offerings as chocolate, wine, scrapbooking, plus fabrics galore for purchase.

Some lucky visitors will also have the opportunity to go home with a quilt or a doll for just a few bucks. Drawing for an Opportunity Quilt and Opportunity Dolls will be held on the second day of the weekend show. Proceeds from the sale of tickets for the opportunity drawing will all go to the quilt. Something new in the opportunity drawing this year will be a Cloth Doll Workshop book co-authored by featured artist Peace Bailey.

Show hours will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m

For further details, contact Judy at 825-4832; LeAnne at 823-7430 or at 815-6754.