POINT PLEASANT — Now that the weather is warmer, the area will begin to take on an even more colorful appearance with the addition of new squares along the Mason County Quilt Trail.

The newest quilt square, which features a belt buckle design, is the first square to go up this year and was built and painted by students at the Mason County Career Center.

According to Denny Bellamy, chairman of the Mason County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the students are making all the county’s quilt squares. He described this as a way for students to become involved in the community.

The Mason County Quilt Trail program unveiled its first official square last summer and now includes numerous pieces located throughout the county. Quilt squares can be seen at public facilities such as the tourism center and the West Virginia State Farm Museum. Quilt squares also are located on several private properties in the area.

The quilt trail eventually will be divided into four driving trails and one walking trail through downtown Point Pleasant. Each area will have a designated theme in order to weave a common bond through the trail. The project will showcase the cultural and historical significance of the county and highlight the beauty and scenery in the area.

Featured quilt square designs include the Douglas Star on Douglass’ Farm in Leon, which was set aside for all the ladies of West Virginia and Appalachia that helped the family farms exist and grow through time. Tim-Rock Dairy, located north of Point Pleasant on W.Va. 62, features a quilt square with the Milky Way design.

Additional designs include the tourism center’s pineapple quilt square, which means “welcome.” Quilt squares also are located at Chuck Lanier’s house and the Yaugers’ Farm, which can be seen along U.S. 35 in Southside.

The quilt trail concept originated in Adams County, Ohio, when a resident noticed several empty barn walls and believed that painting quilt squares on them would be a chance to create public art that also would stimulate economic opportunities for local businesses and artists.

That vision helped create the Adams County Quilt Barn Trail, and the National Quilt Trail is now in nine states. Mason County was the first county in West Virginia to be included, and local volunteers are working with Gallia County, Ohio, to span the river with a large variety of quilt squares displayed in both regions.

A brochure detailing the quilt barn trail in both counties will be available in the future.