A blend of old and new will highlight this year's Festival of The Hills on the Ohio University Southern campus.

In a salute to the state's 200th birthday, Ohio Bicentennial items will be on display during the two-day event.

A quilt, made in the 1930's and featuring the names of Lawrence County's first families will be on display in the hallway outside the Vern Riffe Auditorium. This is the first time this particular quilt has been on display during the festival. It was one of nine quilts selected to represent the county at the Ohio State Fair this year as part of the state's bicentennial celebration.

Made by a ladies' group at the Marion Methodist Church in Aid, the "Signature Quilt" as it is called, acts as a giant page of the area's history.

"It's such a unique quilt," said its owner, Dave Milem, who bought the quilt at a local auction. "There are more than 200 signatures on it. All of the old families are represented. There are names of doctors, and lawyers and preachers and judges."

The Lawrence County Historical Museum will offer memorabilia for sale. The museum's exhibit is in the Ohio Room at the university. Lawrence County's Bicentennial bell will also be on display.

For the first time, King's Daughters Medical Center will provide free health screenings during the two-day event. Children can take advantage of "Stuffee," KDMC's interactive teaching aid.

The festival will begin Saturday with opening ceremonies at 9:25 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 11a.m. til 4 p.m. Admission is $1, but is free for children 12 and under who are accompanied by an adult. Each family will receive a commemorative program and each child will get a ticket for a free pony ride. The first 500 children to attend on Saturday will receive a ticket for free popcorn. Trolley rides will be available both days for a small fee.