Birthday Bash 2026 Recap: Homecoming in Hamilton
⚡ Quick Answer
- What: Missouri Star’s 18th Birthday Bash, themed Homecoming in Hamilton
- When: Wednesday, September 16 through Saturday, September 19, 2026, in Hamilton, Missouri
- Biggest moment: The Hamilton Homecoming Pep Rally, where we crowned our first-ever Missouri Star Homecoming King and Queen
- On stage: Two FreeSpirit trunk shows (Kaffe Fassett and 20 years of Tula Pink), Anna Maria Parry, an Andover trunk show, and Jenny and Ron Doan
- All week: 17 shops, a Vendor Village, food trucks, free demos, Cake Walks, the Homecoming Dunk, and daily dress-up days
For four days in September, Hamilton turned into the biggest homecoming in quilting. Our 18th Birthday Bash brought quilters from all over the country back to Quilt Town, USA for pep rallies, trunk shows, cake walks, and a little friendly dunking, with Jenny, Ron, and the whole Doan family right in the middle of it.
If you were here, thank you for coming home with us. If you couldn’t make it this year, here’s what you missed, day by day, and how to plan for next year.
Birthday Bash 2026 Highlights
- ➤A first for Missouri Star. The Wednesday Pep Rally ended with the crowning of our very first Homecoming King and Queen.
- ➤Two FreeSpirit trunk shows. Quilts from Kaffe Fassett’s book Quilts at an English Manor on Wednesday, and a 20-year celebration of Tula Pink on Thursday.
- ➤Designers up close. Anna Maria Parry talked through her design process, then met quilters in her tent in the Vendor Village.
- ➤Demos all day, every day. Designers from Robert Kaufman, Andover, Maywood Studio, Clover, Shannon Fabrics and Timeless Treasures joined Missouri Star’s own team in the Study Hall.
- ➤Spirit Week, quilter style. Quilty Best, Throwback Thursday, Crazy Hat & Hair Day and Pajama Day, with prizes for the best dressed.
Wednesday: The Hamilton Homecoming Pep Rally
A little Wednesday morning rain couldn’t dampen the party at Birthday Bash! We moved the fun inside to the Varsity Theater, where a live pep band and the Hamilton Hornets cheerleaders brought all the energy. The highlight of the day? The big reveal everyone was waiting for: crowning our very first Missouri Star Homecoming King and Queen—the one and only Jenny and Ron!
The day quickly hit its stride at the Varsity Theater with the inaugural FreeSpirit trunk show, showcasing breathtaking quilts from Kaffe Fassett’s book Quilts at an English Manor. Next, Anna Maria Parry stepped onto the stage to share the stories and inspiration behind her work—followed by a warm meet-and-greet at the Anna Maria Textiles tent in the Vendor Village.
After an inspiring afternoon of Stitches & Stories with Jenny and Ron, the day ended on a high note with An Evening with the Doans. Attendees gathered for a memorable night featuring dinner under the Spirit Tent, a show at the Varsity Theater, and a special meet and greet with the Doan family.
Thursday: Trunk Shows, a Quilt Off, and the Vendor Cake Off
Thursday was packed with action, starting in the Varsity Theater with A Celebration of Design, the Andover trunk show. By 11:30, the celebration continued with a second FreeSpirit trunk show honoring 20 years of Tula Pink. Soon after that, a friendly competition took center stage as quilters faced off in the Homecoming Quilt Off competition.
The fun kept rolling all day long with free interactive games, including Color Block bounce, Thread the Needle, and the crowd-favorite Cake Walk! Meanwhile, under the Spirit Tent, sweet creations faced off in the Vendor Cake Off from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, wrapping up with the exciting winner announcements at the very end of the day.
Friday: Sneak Peeks and Spirit Week Bingo
Friday kicked off with incredible energy as Tami Jones of Andover Fabrics hosted a meet and greet in the Study Hall, packed wall-to-wall with enthusiastic fans! Over in the Varsity Theater, Natalie and Misty treated guests to an exclusive Spirit Week Sneak Peek of their upcoming Double Take quilts, followed by a wildly fun, high-energy round of Spirit Week Bingo that packed the theater from noon to 1:30 PM.
The excitement kept rolling into the afternoon as Jenny and Ron returned for a second round of Stitches & Stories, filling the room with warm memories, heartfelt stories, and plenty of laughter. Meanwhile, the Study Hall was buzzing with talent: Missouri Star’s own Cherry Hill, Rachel Peery, and Courtenay Hughes led hands-on demos—highlighted by Courtenay’s wildly popular quilt binding demo that left everyone buzzing with inspiration to try fresh, new ways to finish off their quilts!
Saturday called for one last epic shopping spree! All the shops kept their doors open from 9 to 5 so everyone could grab those must-have fabrics before heading home. In true cozy Missouri Star fashion, plenty of quilters rolled up in their favorite pjs to shop in ultimate comfort!
Games, Prizes, and the Homecoming Dunk
The excitement never stopped under the Spirit Tent! From multiple rounds of our famous Cake Walk to the Color Block Bounce Game and Thread the Needle, there were endless chances to play and win. Outside the Varsity Theater, the Homecoming Dunk Tank was a smash hit as guests sent sewlebrities making waves for prizes! To cap off the fun, everyone got to send a postcard home from Hamilton—the perfect little keepsake to remember all the magic.
Spirit Week Dress-Up Days
Every day had a theme, and Missouri Star team members handed out prizes each day to randomly selected best-dressed attendees.
| Day | Theme | The idea |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 9/16 | Quilty Best | Quilted jackets, patchwork skirts, fabric totes |
| Thursday 9/17 | Throwback Thursday | Pick a decade and commit |
| Friday 9/18 | Crazy Hat & Hair Day | Over-the-top hats and hair |
| Saturday 9/19 | Pajama Day | Coziest pajamas, fuzzy slippers welcome |
Planning Your Trip for Next Year
If you’re already thinking about next year’s Bash, start with our guides to where to stay in Hamilton, where to eat and things to do besides quilt shopping. For a first visit, A Day in Hamilton walks you through what a visit to Quilt Town, USA is really like. Hotels and rentals fill up fast in Birthday Bash week, so book early.
Can’t wait that long? Hamilton hosts events all year. Keep an eye on the Events page for what’s next, or relive last year’s Stitchin’ Stampede in our Birthday Bash 2025 recap.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Birthday Bash 2026?
Missouri Star’s 18th Birthday Bash ran Wednesday, September 16 through Saturday, September 19, 2026, in Hamilton, Missouri. This year’s theme was Homecoming in Hamilton.
Is Birthday Bash free to attend?
Most of it is. The shops, Vendor Village, demos, trunk shows, games and Homecoming Dunk were all free. A few events needed a ticket: Stitches & Stories with Jenny and Ron, Evening with the Doans, the Homecoming Quilt Off, the Spirit Week Sneak Peek and Spirit Week Bingo.
Why is it called Birthday Bash?
It celebrates Missouri Star’s birthday. The Doan family opened the company in Hamilton, and every September we celebrate another year with the quilters who made it possible. 2026 was our 18th.
Where do I stay for Birthday Bash?
Hamilton is a small town, so rooms go fast during Bash week. Our guide to where to stay in Hamilton, Missouri covers hotels, rentals, RV parks and shuttles.
How many shops are in Hamilton?
Missouri Star has 17 shops in downtown Hamilton, and all of them were open during Birthday Bash.
Were you at Birthday Bash? Share your photos and finished projects with #MSQCShowAndTell. We’d love to see your Spirit Week outfits.