I think the last one I went to was $3 and was held in the high school gym. (It's a small town) There were a few vendors and some quilters giving a few demos of quilting techniques. I think it was worth it then. I think the last one was more money and I couldn't go, but heard it was good. Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $5, and even that is a stretch. Pretty much everything at the show is for sale, so if they didn't charge admission, they would still make money. A lot of the members brought things to sell: old magazines, fabric, and things they made. Any food they offered wasn't free either, so I guess I agree with you, more people would go if the admission was free, and they probably would buy things at the show.