Paducah?
 

Anyone planning to attend quilt show there in April? I'm toying with the idea.....must be cabin fever!

always say I will, but then change my mind...not sure about the crowds, but would love to go to EB store...went to museum there once, passing thru enroute to Florida road trip

I have never gone, being too far from home for me to travel but I would certainly stop at Hancock of Paducah. Hope that EB might be well enough after her surgery to travel there.

I plan on making a day trip. Park across from the quilt museum and Walk downtown or to the convention center. About 1/2 mile either way. Don't miss the strawberry shortcake the Boy Scout sell 😋

Thanks for the tip about strawberry shortcake. EB is supposed to be at her store....will be having some get togethers and also a dinner(sold out according to website). If I go will get a room somewhere as it's about 6-7 hr ride trip.

They book hotels fast. You may have to get one outside of town. But you may luck up on a cancellation.

My girlfriend and I usually go every year. I go and buy all of these projects and then don't get them finished, or even started. I am skipping Paducah this year. I am going to work on some of my UFO's instead. It is lots of fun, but I am weak and I can't resist the fabric. I may go next year. Hancock's is fun.

My hubby took me to Paducah last March, so we missed the show but went to the museum, Hancocks, and EB's store as well as Quilters Alley store. My heart begins to beat faster just thinking about going to the show there!
Not sure if we will go this year, but some day....

This is the first time we are staying over night. Had to make reservations for 2 nights and am really looking forward to it. I have done it in one day but it was really hard and always missed things. Planning on doing the quilts Wed. afternoon, venders Thur. morning and area shops Thur. afternoon, and Fri. morning. Returning Fri. night exhausted and worn out but full of inspiration.

I go each day even have a special parking space just for me lol I love the show just so much to see and do

Everybody should go at least once to a big Quilt Show. My youngest DD lives in Paducah (5 hours from here) and DH and I have been going every year and stay with her. She can arrange her days off from her job so she can chauffer us around in her little car that can park in 1/2 the space of our car. She knows where to go and how to get there and that can really help. The atmosphere in the town is fabulous - most of the activities are in the downtown area and the stores are all decorated with quilts, etc. and rented out for quilt stores, etc. DH just goes along with us to "people watch". Most of the ladies come on busses from all over the country, Canada, etc. and they wear name tags from their bus or quilt club, etc. I asked my DH the first year, what he thought that the average age of the ladies was and he said "70 and they are all from Iowa". I said "IOWA??? I don't remember seeing any name tags from Iowa?? He said that they were "corn fed" - LOL - meaning that they were "well fed" - we are farmers and raise registered Angus cattle - LOL. That was many years ago. I asked him again this past year and we decided that the age was much lower now - lots of gals with green, orange, pink, blue spikey hair, tattoos and body piercings were there. Unfortunately, we will not be able to go this year. My very favorite store is Hancocks of Paducah - not to be confused with the Hancock Fabric Store. They do run some specials during the show.

I've been 3 times and I love it. I prefer going by myself or with a friend who is not a quilter. That way I can see everything and I mean everything. I love Eleanor Burns shows, the Hancock of Paducah store....just everything.

I would love to go sometime. I think it is about 5 hours from here. My guild looked into taking a bus trip there, but there was not enough interest. For things like this we join with another guild to get enough people to make it cost effective. This one didn't work out. Too many of the ladies weren't able to take the time off of work then:-(

I guess anyone can go. BUT, being a member, joining AQS is appreciated, right?

yes, the expo center is opened to anyone who pays the admission fee. If you are an AQS member, I think the admission fee is less by a few bucks. I don't think there are any other perks for the membership- no discount on class fees or anything else......
the rest of the town/shops - open to all!

DD and I are going to Paducah this year. I just want to go once to say I've been. We're staying four nights and attending the show for two days, then we'll be going to the museum and Metropolis, Illinois on the other days.

I have a question: can anyone tell me about buses from hotels to the show? I tried to call the hotel to ask about this and my call was transferred to the operator but the operator didn't answer.

I don't know about from the hotels. But, they have shuttle busses hat run between hot spots all around town for show week. There are even locals that offer shuttle service. Some of these do not charge. They just participate in show week

Thanks for responding. After I posted this question here, I found an email address for the hotel and they said they do have bus service to the show.

I plan on going there in July when I do my two week vacation road trip. Looking forward to the trip!

I don't know if Metropolis has a bus, but the hotels in Paducah run on a loop every 10 to 20 minutes schedule from all the main stops downtown to your hotel front door all day. They really try to make your stay pleasant.

It's on my bucket list. Since I have a friend in KY and a quilter friend in TN, I just have to get there! Sadly, it won't be this year though.

I know hotels are booked up almost a year in advance (I remember staying at the Hampton Inn one year and they were already circulating contracts for the next year). BUT, having said that, last year, I checked Hotels.com and found a room at the Days Inn just a week prior to the show. I asked the front desk about it and she said they 'block' rooms for regulars (business travelers) and release them right before the show. Hotel isn't 5-star, but was next door to Hancock's of Paducah!! :)

Yes, stayed there on way back from Florida road trip 4 yrs ago....simple, but clean and was able to visit hancocks and museum before leaving to get back home .....

I think you get a nice discount on purchase at many of the vendors. At least that is what I found 2 yrs ago when I was there, that it pays to have the membership. Correct me if I am wrong anyone? I didn't get to go last year as I broke my leg the day before. So I was a bit dissappointed and I had paid for my membership already.

I plan to attend, perhaps the end of the event. My dh and I will be in the area so "Yippee"!

The Days Inn was in a flash flood last summer and all of the lower rooms got a couple of feet of water in them...they are all repaired and brand new now, so, should be very nice.

I saw some of you all mention Quilters Alley and sadly, Pat English passed away last week. she was such a sweet lady and a big part of the 'quilty scene' in Paducah, she'll be missed.

The family isn't sure what they are going to do at the moment, but did discuss having a big sale during Quilt Week.

Sorry to hear that, that shop was my favorite of the "regulars" in town.

I am going, it will be my second time. First time we almost got rained out and the rivers were in flood condition. But, it was great to see all of the quilts.

I just decided today to go! I booked a room in a B and B. Can anyone tell me where would be a good place to find parking?

If you don't mind walking you can park at the farmers market area. It is across from the quilt museum. Half way between the convention center and downtown. Nice walk either direction. Maybe a half mile each way

Thank you, cj!

The big parking lot across from the Museum is free about 3 blocks from the convention center. You can park on the residential side streets right around the center too...usually can find parking withing a couple of blocks. Many businesses will open their parking lots and charge a fee (usually given to charity) There's a nursing home right beside the center that charges $10 but you need to get there early between 8 and 8:30. You can go in to the convention center and get a coffee and fruit or pastry...or talk to the yoyo ladies. while you wait...although on Opening Day there is a mad crush to get in. If you bring a little quilt or quilt block, you get to go in a 'special' line. Wednesday is usually the most crowded and I do other things besides the main show. Go to Hacocks, the Cherry Center, Eleanor Burns and Finkles first...then do the show on Thursday and Friday.

Thank you Melody, I'm taking notes! So excited about going....

As soon as they post the schedule for the church meals, I'll post it here. The churches in downtown Paducah really out-do themselves and the meals are scrumptious. Each one gets a night so they don't compete and it is really nice.