Pinehurst area quilters Judy Petersen, Anne Burton, and Mary Williams have been selected as semifinalists for the 25th Anniversary AQS Quilt Show & Contest, April 22-25 at the Paducah Expo Center in Paducah, Kentucky.

The three have been chosen to join 385 others in the annual contest. In its 25th year, the competition is offering more than $127,000 in total prize money. Petersen's quilt, "Fandango," Burton's quilt, "Cabin Vines," and Williams' quilt, "Savannah 1832" are representations of many hours of work.

Three entries were chosen from a field of 709 quilts. From this point on, the quilts will compete against others within their own categories. 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 Best-of-Show award and a $20,000 cash prize. In addition, this quilt will become a part of the permanent collection in The National Quilt Museum.

Regardless of how the quilt places in the final judging, all 388 quilts 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.

Entries are from 48 U.S. states and 11 other countries, including Japan, Australia, South Korea, Philippines, Canada, and England. There are 16 categories in the judged contest. The quilts include bed-size, large and small wall quilts, and designs ranging from traditional "Baltimore Album," "Mariner's Compass," and "Tree of Life," to innovative designs using paint, threads and original designs.

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