For the first time ever, two twelve by twelve quilts from the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt are coming to LaSalle County. They will be displayed in the sanctuary of the Open Table United Church of Christ in Ottawa during the first two weekends in June.
Church Member Sarah Reckmeyer, who requested the quilts, says one of the panels displayed has local ties. Dawn Haggard created a panel on one of the quilts that honors her brother-in-law Dennis Haggard.
She says the entire quilt has 50,000 panels and is the biggest art project in the world. She says it was first created in San Francisco in 1985 to remember those who died during the AIDS pandemic.
Reckmeyer also says the quilts will have eight panels each.
She says she hopes many people will visit. The display will also coincide with Pride Fest which takes place the second weekend in June.
The quilt created by Dawn Haggard for her brother-in-law Dennis Haggard.