Going to Paducah what's not to Miss
 

I will be going to the quilt show in Paducah this year. I need some suggestions on what not to miss. Also if you have any suggestions on what to take that I haven't thought of.
I was there 20 years ago, but I am sure that it has changed a great deal.

How long do you plan to stay? It takes me at least 2 days to see all and not be rushed. Eleanor Burns tent show is now a ticket required event but worth it.

I will be there 5 nights so hope to see alot!

Comfortable walking shoes. Make sure to visit all the stores in the downtown areas as they all hang quilts and have lots of fun quilting items to purchase. I think we all know about Hancock's, lol. Last 2 times we went, found a parking spot and rode the shuttle around. They don't allow pull around carts so keep that in mind. Enjoy

I have never gone but you have to decided what events you want to go to. They should have a list of events planned. EB is a great show if you have never seen her live. It took me three days to do Quilt Market.

There are free shuttle busses that take you all over town. Be sure to see the antique quilts at the Cherry Civic Center.
$7 to get in, but it is well worth it. There are vendors there and the Hoffman Challenge wall hangings too.

Many of the churches in Paducah have meals. Good home cooking at a reasonable price and proceeds go to charity. Some require a reservation because they are so popular. (I can post the schedule later when they get it printed up)

The Episcopal Church usually has a handmade lace exhibit and lovely luncheon...carry out available on many of these church meals.

Kirchoff's Bakery in downtown Paducah is a local landmark and a great place to eat. Everything is fresh and unique...chicken salad on cranberry walnut bread or their famous Reuben on homemade rye are must haves...cookies and pastries can be packed up and munched on as you walk.

Downtown is full of specialty shops and neat eateries...empty stores are rented for the week by vendors too. Fun to walk up and down Broadway and browse.

The Murray Sewing Center rents a huge building right across from the Museum and they have piles of $5.99 fabric. The Museum is one block over from Broadway...and the show is 3 blocks from the Museum, so if you don't have any physical problems..easy walking, or the shuttles will take you right to the doors if it is raining or you need to ride.

Outside the convention center, huge tents are set up and food vendors are right there...you can get anything from local BBQ to strawberry shortcake

Eleanor Burns had open heart surgery last fall, but she's doing great. We're not sure how her recovery will impact her shows, but she should be either in her store on in the old firehouse location with tons of fabric.

Be sure to watch the Egyptian man making quilts...He's a tent maker from Cairo Egypt and it is astonishing what he does with a needle, thread and a huge pair of scissors. He's downstairs at the Convention Center.

Thank you you have been very helpful! If you think of anything else just put in this thread.

when we go we also go to Patti's restaurant http://www.pattis1880s.com Don't forget the quilt museum and shopping at Hancocks.

Here's some pics.

The first one is the antique quilt show at the cherry Center.

The next ones are the Murray Sewing Center sale.

Oh, and I forgot to mention...visit the YoYo ladies set up in the lobby of the Convention Center (one of them is my Mom)

and finally, a view of the tents and food vendors outside the Convention Center.

More pictures.

Egyptian Tentmaker's work

Antique quilts for sale at the Cherry Center

Eleanor Burn's fabric sale

Kirchoff's Bakery

Horse drawn carriage rides through Paducah

I was planning on going this year, but have to have surgery instead. Bummer.
One place I was looking at if you like EPP is Paper Pieces. They have all sorts of fun workshops, demos & a trunk show ranging from free to $180. Here's the link to their brochure if you're interested: http://siterepository.s3.amazonaws.c...ure_online.pdf

Thank you! I forgot about them. Have ordered from them in the past. Will try to stop there.

Paducah is definitely on my want to do list--but my first knee replacement (partial)is acting up and wondered how much walking is involved?

Reading this and looking at all these pictures makes me want to travel to North America (never been there)! If I ever make it there, I better see that it is during this show! It's every year, right?

Yes same time every year.

As much walking as you want. I am going with bus and staying 5 nights. That means 4 days to look around. Will take it easy each day to not overdo.

OMG! I'm a first timer going with a bunch (11) other first timers. I just plan to be totally exhausted when my time there is done.

Oh, there is another quilt show just a few miles from Paducah, many go to it to avoid the big crowds during quilt week. It is very nice. I forgot the name of the show. When I went it was hard to find, one little sign up on the road. I'm sure someone here knows about it.

try and visit phannocks of paducha and the button factory so much fun!!

Have never heard about the Button Factory?

My head is about to EXPLODE! You all are making me want to go!! I think I will... just take off and go by myself. It was those pictures that did it....

If I stay about half an hour away from Paducah, will I have trouble finding all day parking in town?

Please Mo, more info about the Button Factory. Is it a store in Paducah?

quilt show
 

How far in advance did you book a hotel? I tried a few years ago to book a room 10 months in advance and there was nothing available. Even going a bit outside of Paducah.

Actually going on a bus tour from Green Bay, WI. The bus owner books the hotel one year in advance. I did see on the quilt week site that they can help with booking places to stay.

Not sure about parking, but the quilt week site has lots of information including ideas for parking. There is a shuttle that takes you to all the venues so you may want to park away from the Quilt Show and take the shuttle in.

I have found rooms at the state parks near paducah, nice (but older) cabins and lodges even close to show dates. We had about a 30 min drive into town.

Hancocks of Paducah has a back room with reduced prices on fabrics and other things. Go there.

Thanks gotta remember that!

Since they don't allow any rolling carts, what does everyone carry their purchases in? Backpack?


Also, I was reading the vendor info and it said they require vendors to sell at full retail, and they can only offer one "special" per booth. What fun is that? Those who have been before, were the vendors all selling at retail prices? I never pay full retail for fabric.

There is also another mini mall in downtown just a half block east of Kirchoff's. One "must go to" vendor is Primitive Gatherings. If you like wonderful more primitive or folk art designs her booth is one of the best. There are probably 25 other vendors in there, too.

Are you an AQS member? I am told besides a discount on admissions vendors will offer discounts to AQS members.

Which of the church meals do you have to make reservations?
Also looks like an over the shoulder tote bag is the best to put your pretty purchases in.

There is a free package check at the entrance to the convention center. Just leave your things there and come back when you're ready. Parking is not much problem. I usually get there about 8:30 (doors open at 9) and park just outside the gates. Sometimes I find a free street side spot or pay $5 to $10 for a slot in a local business. Parking on the grounds is $10 for all day. You can also park for free at Hancocks and take the shuttle for free wherever you want to go...there's a monsterous field there that holds hundreds of cars. You can park on the street close to Eleanor Burns too.

As far as prices, I've never had any problem with what folks were charging. Some stuff is 'full price' but many things are extremely reasonable. Many vendors have pre-cuts at a good value and I've bought tools and supplies that I wouldn't have been able to find elsewhere. You have live demonstrations and those vendors encourage you to step up and try it yourself. You'd like the big fabric sale across from the Quilt Museum that the Murray Sewing Center has...great prices there. Plenty of value at many places if you are wanting to grab bargains.

The Kentucky Dam Village is about 30 minutes away and you can get a room, a condo or even rent a houseboat.
http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortpark...ervations.aspx

Quality Inn is in Draffenville about 30 minutes away
Phone 270 205-4157

EconoLodge about 30 minutes away
270 362-4278

The mini-mall at the old Finkle's store ha lots of vendors and the 'hurt' book sale (they're not really hurt) in the back has thousands of quilting and craft books for $5 each.

Going to Paducah for the first time this year. DD booked our room last year right after the 2015 show. DD had to call the hotel several times and finally got us a room. It wasn't easy.

Where is the old Finkles's store? Can I get there by shuttle or walking?

The old Finkle's store is at 2nd and Kentucky Avenue. Across the street from the Carson Center auditorium and just about a half block from Kirchoff's Bakery. 2 blocks from the Quilt Museum. I don't know if the shuttles run all the way to it, but they do run on Broadway and that is 1 block up. Very easy to walk to. from those places.

I had no trouble booking a B & B just 20 minutes from Paducah... Decided to go, looked online and found it, booked it and- BOOM- done.

Not much for crowds so I haven't been to Paducah during the show, but I did go there a couple of years ago. (Family emergency cut the visit short, so I didn't get to Hancock's or the museum, so I have to go back.) If you want a break from the hustle and bustle, go down to the river front. The Ohio and Tennessee rivers converge there and is a sight to see. Also, I just saw on the APQS website that starting in 2017 there will be two shows, one in April and another in September.

Thanks again for your great info!