Year after year, Party Time sells out to a very enthusiastic crowd. At Road’s 25th Anniversary Show it was bigger and better than ever.
History of Party Time
Party Time was the brainchild of past Road owner, Carolyn Reese, as a way for guests to unwind after a long day of classes, shopping, and quilt admiring. The event is a two-hour extravaganza that includes games, food, and over a hundred prizes, donated by vendors at the show.
For the last 14 years, one of the highlights of the evening has been the ever-flowing chocolate fountain.
Diane Martin, a member of the Night Owl Quilt Guild and longtime Road to California volunteer, has acted as Mistress of Ceremonies for the past few years. While she confesses that she always gets a little nervous overseeing the event, when the night is over, she is always thrilled with the results: happy quilters who have enjoyed an evening of fun and friendship.
Crazy Guests
Getting into the spirit of Party Time often includes dressing up. This group of Reindeer met years ago at the Oxnard Adult Education Quilt Class taught by Evonne (bottom left). At their table of 10, there was a combined 110 years of quilting experience!!! Road to California is their favorite reunion as the ladies now live in California, Texas, and Arizona.
Carolyn, from New Mexico, has attended Party Time the past 18 years. She said that the “antler ladies” inspired her to dress up and wear hair gear this year. Carolyn bought her costume at a collectibles shop in El Paso, Texas in 2019. She said that she received many compliments from other guests at Party Time, telling her they had wished that they had dressed up too.
Mary and Pat bought their matching shirts at Road. They are from Chatsworth, California and have attended Road to California together for the past 5 years, when they both started quilting. They both agreed: “It’s an awesome party!!”
Jean came to Party Time from Fresno, California. Her friend, Diane, made her festive vest. Jean has been coming to Party Time for 12 years!! “It’s fun and exciting,” remarked Jean. Each year, Jean makes the most of her visit to Road. She takes classes and shops all the vendors. In 2020, she took classes from Deb Tucker and Krista Moser. Her all-time favorite Road teacher is Kimberly Einmo.
Mother and Daughter, Kendra and Judy, don’t quilt. They call themselves “quilt appreciators.” One of the reasons they come to Road is to attend Party Time. “A friend has been to Party Time the past 5 years and told us that we had to come.” Kendra commented that even though she doesn’t quilt (she does do needlework) she loves the Show including the vendors. “There are lots of ideas for new projects here.”
Another Mother/Daughter pair at Party Time were Roxanne and Shirley from South Gate, California. Both have been quilting for the past 10 years. This was their 8th year going to Road. They come on a bus with their quilt group, a machine quilting class in Pico Rivera. Roxanne gives the gift of Party Time each year to Shirley for her birthday.
Mark your Calendar
Party Time continues to be one of Road to California’s most popular events; it sells out every year. Plan now what you’re going to wear to Party Time in 2021 and be sure to enroll as soon as registration opens in early July 2020. You won’t want to miss out on all the fun!!!
I have been going to Rd to California for 18 years and this was my 2nd time at Party Time. My Fascinator hat was fun to wear and when I told the antler hat Ladies I did this because of them (This was in the hallway while we we were waiting to get into the Party) they all clapped. It was so fun. 250 Ladies and only 11 of us wore Fascinator Hats! We had fun. I sure did,