Hi, this is my first quilt festival, and I can't wait! I'm going tomorrow, and can't seem to find out the answer to my two questions, so I was wondering if any of you could answer them - everyone on the board always comes through for every need and query!

Are there in-and-out privileges at the show?
Are rolling carts/suitcases permitted?

Thanks, and for those of you who are going, I look forward to seeing you there!

Definitely in and out privileges, get your hand stamped before going out. I 'think' rolling carts are allowed.
Hope someone else will say for sure 'yes or no'.

Thank you Kathy - that's music to my ears! I live in Houston and know of a great Mexican restaurant in the area, but not in the convention center. I figure if I'm going to pay that much for lunch, it might as well be for good food!

say Hi to my girlfriend. She's going. i sent her tickets for her Birthday. she lives in Houston and had never gone!

I went last night for the preview of the quilts and did some shopping. If you plan on going on Friday or Saturday -- these are the most popular days and there are lots and lots of people.
Going up and down the isles is tight -- people sometimes don't think when they just stop in the middle of the isles when they see something interesting -- that stops the whole section. I see a lot of people who carry tote bags and then again some vendors give out free tote bags but you really do not see people pushing carts around. There are a lot of people in wheel chairs too! I hope you have fun. I took a class on Monday and I have two more - one on Saturday and one on Sunday. I plan on doing more shopping. Duhhh - I just called for you. The answer is "NO CARTS, ROLLING SUITECASES" unless you have a medical need to have one then you need to bring a note from a Doctor and go to the 2nd floor to get a special pass to use it.

Enjoy your time at the show!

They have the winners posted on the website already....some awesome quilts! :)
Wish I were close enough to go! I can't seem to make it to Portland for the expo here!

ruacajun2, thank you very much! I have a phone number I tried earlier, but no answer, so was going to call later in the morning. I guess I'll add "backpack" to the Walmart list - this was my original plan anyway, so I don't have to deal with hauling things around.

Thanks to all who responded, and to those of you who are going, let's all have a wonderful time!

A great Mexican place is called Irma's - located at 22 North Chenevert Street, 2 blocks north of Minute Maid Park. They are open during weekdays, and at 4PM on Saturdays. I highly recommend the pink lemonade - so much fruit bits they clog up a straw, but it's wonderful!!!

Rolling carts are specifically NOT allowed at the Quilt Festival. No baby strollers either. The only thing on wheels allowed are those golf-cart things for handicapped folks. Even with these restrictions, the aisles are packed! But, it's a fun event, so go with the flow and enjoy! I am leaving now to drive to the Festival -- see you in 5 hours.

Where is the site to see the quilts? Thanks for sharing!!

http://www.quilts.org/winners.html

Here's the link to see the winners!

Thank you!! Aren't the quilts amazing!?

The rolling totes are not allowed. They are tripping hazards. I think strollers are not allowed at the quilt shows I've been to, I don't remember seeing any. I don't understand the reasoning for bringing a child that needs to be in a stroller to a large crowded quilt show.

My husband goes to gun shows and that is his pet peeve. It makes him nuts to see the people bringing their kids in strollers when it is crowded. There are some places that little kids just don't need to be.

I went last night, but haven't been on the quilt side yet. Strolled about 1/3 of the vendors and bought my annual basket. If you go, check them out. I think their booth is on aisle 1000 or 1100. The baskets are beautiful.

I rent one of the Scoot-a-rounds if I'm going to be there a full day, and they are life savers, but I've gotten more dirty looks, as if I'm taking up more space than I should. Believe me, if I could stay on my feet all day, I'd save the money and buy fabric, but if I wasn't using one, I'd be sitting more than looking.

Took a sashiko class on Monday night and have another class this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon.

Irma's is a great restaurant. The food is delicious. There's also a food court in the convention center, a cafe across the street in the Discovery Green, and a food court and several restaurants at The Park Shops, which is about 3 blocks away. If you like seafood, try Massa's, which is on Lamar, directly across from the Four Seasons Hotel.

I am sorry you both feel that way. Many years ago now, I took my twin toddler girls. They loved looking at the quilts and did eventually fall asleep in their stroller. I would not have been able to attend without them because I could not afford any type of babysitter! Somewhere I have a picture that a kind gentleman took of them sleeping and mailed to me after the show.

Of course this was close to 12 or 13 years ago when the show wasn't as big as it is now AND strollers were allowed. And honestly they weren't noisemakers then....

I'd hate to think someone has to miss the show because of childcare. It is an amazing show.