I LUV the Paducah quilt show! It is such a trip to see the quilts. I always come home wanting to be a better quilter. I spend several hundred dollars with the vendors, but you can look for free. It's always fun to bring home the latest ruler or some such. Fabric isn't a bargain, but you will find a wealth of fat quarters you may have never seen. I do a lot of applique so fat quarters appeal to me.
Paducah is certainly quilter friendly, I'm sure their economy is based on this one large show. There are shops set up all over town. The Paducah riverfront is gorgeous and so much to see. Be sure to look for the AQS store downtown. You'll find hundreds of books cheap.
I once visited Paducah in the Fall, expecting to visit a dozen or more quilt shops and guess what? They only open up for the show! I believe there are only two full time quilt shops and possibly three. Be sure to visit Eleanor Burns year round shop, and don't miss her setup at Carson Park. It's in a tent, but awesome. She brings her own tractor trailer trucks full of "stuff." You'll run in to her along the way, just keep your eyes open for a big Jimmy Carter smile!
If you need reservations, try the KY state park, about 30 miles away, but for this event, that's close. I stayed in Mayfield once (crummy) but I delayed getting my reservations unto too late. Reservations are made beginning at midnight on Dec.31 for the coming year. Most regulars are already on somebody's list and they snatch up the spots ASAP.
I hope you do plan to go to Paducah. It's like going to Mecca for quilters. Wear comfy shoes, carry a good shopping bag and lots of cash. Maybe we'll see each other there this year.
Oh, by the way, as the last poster said, you can't see it all in a day! I can't get it all in in one day, so I try two. Two days nearly puts me in the bed for a week, but I love it!