Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
Photos by Malia Riggs and Prattville Spinners
The 43rd annual Spinners two-day Pumpkin Patch and Craft Show was held Saturday and Sunday with over 100 vendors set up for the weekend in Spinners Park in Prattville.
The Prattville Spinners have been contributing to the community since 1951, uniting local women through crafting and quilting. Every year spinners create a quilt that will be drawn for a winner, and this year, the queen size quilt was named “Let’s Chex Mix It Up” and is valued at over $2,000.
“There are some great quilters in our organization, but a person like myself who doesn’t quilt, I’m happy to iron squares, cut squares, whatever you need me to do and that’s what we all do to help out,” Spinners President Darlene Blumentritt said.
Blumentritt stated that vendors and shoppers alike have flocked from all over the southeast to attend the two-day festival.
“This event gives us the opportunity to allow vendors and craftspeople to come out here and to sell the things that they make and to sell their artistry to the public. The thing that’s important to know is that all the money we make off of just selling vendor space goes right back to the community,” Blumentritt said.
Blumentritt gave an example, stating that last year Spinners raised around $16,000, and were able to divvy up that money to 11 different organizations. Through a grant process in the Spinners organization, other organizations such as Mary’s Haven, Prattville Civic Club, the Autauga Interface Care Center, House of Hope 12, Central Alabama Search and Rescue K-9 Unit, and many more were able to be receive grants.
“They can apply for a grant and often they will come and speak to us at our monthly meetings and explain what their organization does. They will put in a grant for us, and we will go through, and we will divide up as many organizations as we can,” Blumentritt said.
Every year the Spinners also give a Spirit of Spinners award, where Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie presented the award to this year’s recipient Soyna Moore. The Spirit of Spinner Award goes to an individual that embodies the invaluable proponent of volunteerism and puts the needs of the community first.
Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie presented the Spirit of Spinners award to Moore, saying, “You exemplify this community.”
Gillespie said Moore had made her mark in the community, not just by receiving the award but everything she has done in education, her religious area, and Master Gardeners.
“This award we are talking about is so prestigious. Because when the Spinners ladies do put something out, they always do it right,” Gillespie said.
Moore was completely surprised by being named the Spinner of the Year, and celebrated the moment with family and friends, who were able to keep her award a secret.
“We had a very successful weekend we had wonderful weather, and we had a big turnout and it’s been very successful weekend. When I’ve gone around and talked to the vendors, the majority of them have said that they’ve had a great weekend it’s been one of their best shows. They’re excited, and we’re excited because we want their success. That’s what this whole thing is about,” Blumentritt said.
