Gads, by all means go if you can. There is no need to 'work your way up to' the bigger shows. It will inspire you more than the smaller shows. You can meet lots of quilters of varying expertise and just plain 'ol have fun. Take a camera or extra photo capacity for your phone if needed.
I am glad I went when I did because I walked all over Paducah and now that wouldn't happen so much. I wore out socks with all the walking I did. Yes, there are the free buses but the weather was great and I was with another adventurous soul,so we enjoyed the walking and talking.
Our motel was out by the mall on the outside of town. So we could even walk and see the quilts displayed there. Our motel was a Drury Inn, I think, and breakfast and a managers special in the p.m. were included. We were right on the bus route too.
There was time to rest on the flight home.
Am glad I went.