I am in the minority but really didnt care for Hancocks. Loved Quilter's Alley -- very nice, helpful woman owns it -- try not to miss it.

If your husband is a fisherman, he'll love going! Mine can't wait to return! When we went we stayed at a hotel on the shuttle bus route (expensive, but worth it in cases like this), so I didn't need a car, and dh took ours and went fishing at the huge man made lakes at the "Land Between the Lakes". There were about 200 blue herons there fishing with him!

It is my dream to go to Paducah. I still have little ones so it will have to wait, unless I have my quilt in the show LOL - one can dream, right? Have fun, take lots of pictures and report back. Happy bargain hunting!

The Kentucky Dam Marina rents houseboats (30 minutes from Paducah) He could enjoy the Lake, possibly fish or just read a good book. You could take the car. Paducah is also full of antique stores if he likes browsing for hidden treasure. There's a casino just across the river in Metropolis if he enjoys that type of recreation. If he plays guitar, there are several music stores that he could poke around in too.

The quilt show use to have a husband lounge with big screen tv, comfortable easy chairs, and refreshments If he loves people the porch at Hancock's is a great place to sit and chat. Always a lot of DH's there. I think there is enough for him to do from place to place that he won't get bored.

I think he'd love the idea of the houseboat and relaxation--thank you, that's great.

I have gone every year for over 15 years.
1. You have to eat at the Taste of Paducah on Friday night. Fabulous.
2. The buffet at the Methodist Church on Saturday night is also fabulous. They never fail to have a great meal.

Quiltinaday.com has a coupon for the fabric at Paducah and remember she has three stores (downtown, Carson Park and the warehouse) all with fabric and supplies and all with color of the day discounts and other discounts. Always ask. Last year all the fabric was $5 per yard before any discounts. I would not be surprised if she had 8000-10000 bolts since it feels like that. At the beginning of the week the fabric is by color but by the end of the week it is a little confused.

The people of Paducah are warm and welcoming.

The show is always wonderful and huge. Pace yourself. I usually run around like a crazy person for about 4 or 5 hours on the day I go to the show and then take a free bus ride to get off my feet. One year I met the Grand Prize winner on the same bus. There is just so much to see.

Hancocks was a disappointment. But I always hope it will be better. At least they have enough cutters and cashiers. They arrange most of the fabric by manufacturer. Know the price of batting back home. I think their prices on batting are good.

I went about 15 years ago...and hope to go back sometime again...maybe after I retire. Hancocks was an awesome place to get great buys on fabric. Too long ago for me to make any other recommendations..but have fun visiting all the vendors. We did take advantage of church suppers while we were there and had great food at a good price, so you might want to check that out vs going out for some of your meals. The churches had special seatings for quilters ...you signed up for what time you wanted to eat at. We even got the recipes at one of the churches we went to.

Paducah is quite small - most guests stay at bed and breakfasts in the area. I've been thinking of going to experience the whole thing - a bus goes from this area so all meals and places to stay are taken care of. Many from this area have gone and loved every minute of the trip.