Visitors to the Vicksburg Convention Center through the end of this week will be greeted by quilts, quilts and more quilts as the first Old Man River Quilt Festival draws in quilters from miles around.

The event, which began late in the day Tuesday and runs through Saturday, features vendors, sewing machines, a blade sharpener, jewelry made from antique buttons and — of course — quilts, including The Supper Quilt, a 15-by-5.5 quilt depicting the biblical Last Supper.

“It’s a lifelong dream. It’s another item to check off the bucket list,” said event organizer Kay Elliot of Stitch-N-Frame. “I’ve always wanted something like this here in my home town. Vicksburg’s never had anything like this so we’re really proud to have it.”

The quilt fest, which is expected to draw thousands to Vicksburg’s downtown, has drawn more than 300 people by noon on Wednesday.

“Everyone in Vicksburg is really embracing all the visitors,” Elliot said. “I just want it to be a positive, prosperous experience for everyone.”

By all accounts, the event is off to a good start.

“It’s been going great. I did well yesterday and so far today I’ve been busy. I’m starting to worry if I brought enough,” said Linda Harrington of Tye Quilts in Arkadelphia, Ark., one of the 29 vendors at the event.

Before visitors even enter the doors of the event’s main thoroughfare, they are greeted by The Scissor Guy, Hayward Erwin, who is on hand to an array of different types of scissors and knives.

“You can get where you can do them fairly quickly,” Erwin said of his sharpening. “I don’t really try to, but if I can I need to. I normally spend too much time talking to customers about their scissors. They may be their mother’s or their grandmother’s. You put your hands right where they put theirs. It’s often a family connection.”

After entering the doors into the event’s main showroom, visitors are greeted by The Supper Quilt.

“There’s no words. Phenomenal. Absolutely beyond beautiful,” Dianne Smith of Hernando said of the quilt. “It’s way out of my league.”

The quilt’s owner Don Locke of Waxahachie,Texas, was on hand to answer questions about the quilt, most often how long it took him to make.

“It took me 1,200 hours to make it,” he said. “I went to a school in Alabama and a kid told me he thought it should be work $100 zillion, so that’s how much I say it’s worth.

“We meet all kinds of people (talking the quilt to shows). Quilters are creative, interesting people.”

Audra Rasnake won the festival’s Best of Show award and Helen Willis won the Judge’s Choice award, but Elliot encouraged people to visit the VCC and vote on the Viewer’s Choice award, which will be announced at the end of the festival on Saturday.

“All the attendees are really excited,” Elliot said. “They’re saying they love Vicksburg and love being here — and are looking forward to next year.”

Festival hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday. The festival is open to the public, and general admission costs $6 per person with discounts available for groups.