The Centennial of Naval Aviation at Naval Air Station Whidbey drew several thousand participants on Saturday. Many visitors were aviation buffs, to be sure, but the display of quilts made in honor of the centennial appealed to the artistically inclined, too.

Bill Evans, a visitor from Iowa, agreed.

“I think they’re beautiful as well as inspiring,” he said, looking at the quilts. “You can tell a lot of work went into them, with amazing results.”

Local quilt guild Whidbey Island Treasuremakers created a quilt which features cut-out designs of former and current aircraft flown on NAS Whidbey. Aviation-style motifs decorate the quilt, which the creators have named “Jet-Stream.”

Other quilts featured at the event are part of a traveling collection that has been making its way around the country for the past year. Some pictured aircraft, others aircrew members, and some, a combination of both. Titles included “On Patrol,” “The Vision” and one whimsically titled, “Benny and the Jets.”

One quilt on display honored the achievements of a family of aviators stretching over three generations. Former Navy Lt. Mark Boberg is pictured on the quilt, as is his father, and his nephew, Ensign S. Allen Darlington Jr., who will be stationed at NAS Whidbey Island come November.

Boberg’s daughter, Annajean, and her husband, Russell, accompanied him at the quilt display.

“I’m proud of my dad and his service,” said Annajean. “And I’m also proud of my aunt for making this quilt to commemorate their years of service over several generations.”

According to Debra Staley, a member of Whidbey Island Treasuremakers, the group hoped that many pilots and aircrew would come by the display to sign their quilt. It seems that Staley got her wish. By noon, the quilt was filling up with the signatures of many who stopped by.

One of those is retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Dolan Nance, of Oak Harbor.

“I Joined the Navy in 1956,” said Nance. “A lot of the airplanes I worked on are pictured on this quilt.”

Nance said he thought it was a good way to commemorate the centennial.

That’s just what Kathy Vass, another member of the Whidbey Island Treasuremakers, liked to hear.

“Whether you like quilts or not, everyone can still appreciate the artistry that goes into making them,” she said.