| Features |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
About Quilt City USA
by Todd Lasley (December 1, 1999)
Paducah is known as "Quilt City USA". Each year, quilt enthusiasts from around the world come to Western KY to view the beautiful quilts on display right here in our hometown! Bonnie Browning, the AQS Show Chairman, was kind enough to answer a few questions regarding the biggest event in our area, the AQS Quilt Show!
AboutPaducah.com:
In your opinion, what is unique about Paducah that makes it such a great location for the Quilt Show?
Bonnie Browning:
Paducah is a small city that hosts a BIG quilt show. Quilters from around the world come to Paducah to see the BEAUTIFUL QUILTS, to learn how to quilt by taking classes from 40 national instructors offering 140 workshops and lectures. They also want to visit the quilt vendors who bring the latest quiltmaking supplies.
Paducah is accessible by air (Paducah and Nashville airports) and automobile (I-24 surrounds the city). It takes the entire community being involved to put on this show, from the churches who cook breakfasts, lunches, and dinners to help feed the quilters, the local merchants who put out their welcome banners by decorating their shop windows, to the hotels who pay to provide free bus service to/from the Convention Center for their patrons. The AQS Quilt Show is truly Quilt City USA.
AP:
What do visiting quilters seem to like most about our community?
Bonnie:
The Southern hospitality - quilters always comment about the Ambassadors who help guide them to various venues around the city and the friendliness of people throughout the area. When the hotels are filled, private citizens open up their homes to house quilters through the Home Bed & Breakfast program; hundreds of additional quilters are able to come to Paducah each year by staying in private homes. We like having the quilters come to Paducah and make them feel welcome!
AP:
Are there any areas of improvement that Paducah could implement in order to make future shows even more successful?
Bonnie:
Exhibit space, exhibit space, exhibit space! Paducah needs an Expo Center, not only for the AQS Quilt Show, but also for other events (fishing tournaments with exhibits, car shows, sports and boat shows, etc.) that require large open spaces. We currently do not have that type of exhibit space available and undoubtedly the city is not chosen for events because of that limitation.
It costs tens of thousands of dollars to produce an event like the AQS Quilt Show. The primary source of revenue is from the rental of space to vendors. The space available in the Convention Center is enough for only 85 vendor booths and space to hang the quilt exhibits. In order to have more vendors, space is used in the Executive Inn Pool Atrium and even space under the pool building. We have to spend thousands of dollars to make this space useable. When AQS was investigating having a special show to celebrate the new millennium in the year 2000, we chose to go to Opryland Hotel in Nashville where there is the amount of space needed for vendors and exhibits, as well as accommodations for a variety of special events.
The Quilt Show has brought, by my calculations, approximately $100 million into Paducah during the past 15 years. The 1999 Economic Impact Survey showed more than $10 million were spent in Paducah and more than $17 million statewide during the Quilt Show. This type of tourism activity brings new money into the community so everyone benefits. Hopefully, facilities can be built in the near future for events like the AQS Quilt Show and to attract more events to the city.
AP:
What's new for the 2000 show?
Bonnie:
The quilts in the Quilt Contest will all be new; this show attracts some of the most beautiful quilts being made today by quilters from around the world, and more than $100,000 is awarded in cash prizes. Quilters love to be able to take classes and attend lectures by international quilting authorities. At the April 2000 show, Jinny Beyer, well-known author/designer/teacher/quilter/gardener, will present an Evening with Jinny Beyer on Thursday. Georgia Bonesteel, hostess of Lap Quilting on PBS, will lecture at Evening with Georgia Bonesteel on Saturday. Later that evening, the Paducah Parks Department and AQS will present Music & Murals on the Riverfront. Southern Jazz will provide the music and quilters will enjoy seeing the murals come to life as actors share history of Paducah.
There is an admission fee for these events. To obtain the Registration Guide, send name, address, and $1.00 to Registration Guide, AQS, PO Box 3290, Paducah KY 42002-3290. Registrations are processed on a first come basis; forms can be returned by mail or fax. No telephone registrations will be accepted until January 14. In December, the Registration Guide will be on the AQS web site.
AP:
Do you have any tips or advice for visiting quilters that could make their visit to Paducah more enjoyable?
Bonnie:
To plan your trip, start by securing lodging; most hotels fill a year in advance, but they do have cancellations throughout the year. If you cannot find hotel lodging, on February 1 (not before, please), call the Visitors Bureau at 1-800-PADUCAH to obtain the Home Bed & Breakfast form; this program is available only for AQS members. In March, the Visitors Bureau will match up homeowners and visitors and send the information to both parties. It is the responsibility of the quilter to call and make final arrangements with the homeowner.
When you are ready to come to the show, bring "comfortable" shoes; this is not the time to break in a new pair of shoes. There is a lot of walking. We dress from the top to the ankles, and wear whatever is comfortable on your feet. Many wear sneakers to give their feet maximum support. Don't forget to wear cushioned socks in those sneakers to prevent blisters. The EMTs treat more blisters than any other injury during the show.
Drink plenty of liquids and eat regular meals to keep your energy level up.
Be prepared to eat, sleep, and drink quilts -- some call Paducah the "Mecca" for quilters. Plan your ultimate quilting weekend at the AQS Quilt Show, Quilt City USA.
AQS Shows Dates in 2000:
April 13-16, Executive Inn, Paducah, Kentucky; registration materials available November 1, 1999.
August 31-September 3, Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee; registration materials available February 2000.
|
|
| User Comments |
|
 |
?
By: Sue Jackson - 2001-12-31
what is the date for 2002
|
|
|
2002 Quilt Show
By: Susan - 2002-03-04
The 2002 American Quilter's Society Quilt Show & Contest will be held April 24, 25, 26 & 27 at the Executive Inn Convention Center in Paducah, KY. Go to www.aqsquilt.com for more details!
|
|
|
paducah
By: Cheryl Pritchett - 2002-09-25
WQould you email me any information available on the 2003 quilt show. Thanks, Cheryl
|
|
|
AQS Pacucah Quilt Show
By: Elba Smith - 2003-03-22
I would like it if you would send me Information on the 2003 Quilt show. Never been there to the show before. Please give me information about the whole show. I was told that this is the best place to go see quilts and get good stuff. Please help me thanks Elba love to Quilt and make quilts
|
|
|
Paducah quilt show
By: Nancy Thompson - 2003-05-09
I offer group tours from Iowa and Texas. Look at my web page for more information. www.sewgreattours.com We have been visiting Paducah since 1993! The past three years have been the best. The new expo area has dispursed the crowd. In the past we heard comments regarding the big crowd - but this has been taken care of! Join Sew Great Tours from Iowa or Texas in 2004!
|
|
|
vendor
By: Steve Ward - 2003-08-30
seeking vendor information for the quilt show
Thanks!
|
|
|
Paducah Quilt Show
By: Patty Buckland - 2004-02-14
I was due to come to Paducah to the show after saving hard for three years, but the tour company I am booked with has now, at this late stage, cancelled the tour from the UK. Is there anyone out there who could help a fellow-quilter (aged 66 travelling capably alone) to find out about tours in the USA to the Paducah show? I could join a tour more or less anywhere in the States as I am flying from London, England, but it is almost impossible to get any information about it in England.
There must be SOME kind quilter out there who knows something that could at least start me off - a link to some suitable tour company site perhaps?
I would be so so grateful for a little help and guidance.
Thank you whoever listens.
Patty
|
|
|
registration
By: margaret grisham - 2004-11-10
Please send information to register by mail from home and information to register by e-mail as well. Thanks
|
|
|
2005 Quilt tour/workshops
By: Erna Kilian - 2004-12-09
When are you holding the 2005 show. I will be visiting the QuiltOdessey 2005 and what to stay for more of the same or a workshop.
|
|
|
show 2005
By: Sheila Gilbert - 2005-01-08
Can someone please send me the dates of this years (2005) quilt show in Paducah
Many thanks
|
|
|
Paducah Ky 2005 Quilters Convention
By: Janet Dooley - 2005-02-21
Date: Paducah Ky Quilt Show April 20-24, 2005
Ken Bar Lodge will be opening in March if you or anyone you know needs lodging. We are located next to the Ky Dam State Park. The Ky Dam Marina is next door with boating and fishing on beautiful Ky Lake. The State Park has a golf course next door to us and horseback riding stable across the street. We our only 20 minutes from Paducah. Our address is 7711 Highway 641, Gilbertsville, Ky. Our number is 270-362-9818 and email address is kenbarlodge@bellsouth.net.
Janet Dooley
|
|
|
Quilt Show
By: Joye Street - 2005-04-17
I have visited your wonderful quilt shows on two previous occassions. I am interested in bringing a friend this year. Please confirm dates for this coming week. Admission rates?
Any highlights or pertinent facts?
Thank you for information.
|
|
|
excited to go
By: Angie Deyak - 2005-08-10
Have always wanted to go to this quilt show. would like information about 2006 show.
|
|
|
Paducah Ky Quilt Show 2006
By: Keryn James - 2005-08-14
I am organising a tour by serious Australian quilters to the USA to visit quilting museums etc. I don't wish this tour to be the usual 'touristy' thing but instead to have private tours, lectures and workshops by quilters and really spectacular quilt shows. Can you give me more info re your quilt show, workshops etc. and if there would be any special elements we may be interested in. Many thanks
Keryn James
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
