Pinehurst-area quilters Mary Abbott Williams and Judy Petersen have been selected as semifinalists for the 23rd Annual Quilt Show and Contest, April 25-28, at the Paducah Expo Center in Paducah, K.Y.

They have been chosen to join 411 others in the annual contest.

In its 23rd year, the competition is offering more than $130,000 in total prize money.

Williams' quilt, "Falkland: A Coventry Chintz Medallion," measures 98 inches wide by 101 inches long.

Petersen's quilt, "Vincent's Sunflower Daze", measures 40 inches wide by 52 inches long. Both represent many hours of work.

These entries were chosen from a field of 742 quilts. From this point on, the works will compete against others within the appropriate category.

Three quilting authorities will judge this elite group prior to the opening of the show. The individual quilt named best of show will garner the Hancock's of Paducah Best of Show award and a $20,000 cash prize.

In addition, the quilt will become part of the permanent collection in the Museum of the American Quilter's Society.

Regardless of how the quilts place in the final judging, all will be displayed at the annual quilt show.

The annual quilt exhibition brings more than 35,000 quilters, collectors, enthusiasts and vendors to Paducah each spring, when the city shows how it earned the nickname Quilt City USA.

For more information, go to www.AmericanQuilter.com or call 270-898-7903.