I paid my $5 to go to the Minnesota Woodworking show today. I thought it might be worthwhile. It wasn't worth the $5. The show was put on by Rockler Hardware.
It was like paying to shop at a Rockler store with lots of extra sales help. There were not a lot of demos of any cool tools or things like that. They had a few good deals on big iron compared to regular Rockler prices, but you could probably beat most prices online.
They also had lots of small items on sale, but you couold get the same or better deals at other places on most of the stuff.
The only reason to go would be if they are offering a seminar you want to see. I saw at least one I would have gone to if I was there at the right time.
Brian Elfert