I'm not savvy but also beginning like yourself. For OTB tournaments I recommend starting with a slower time control - 30 at least. Usually if a game is 30 minutes or less you're not required to take notation but the rules where you are may vary (and honestly I like having a record of my games so notation is worth doing). It's a distraction though so use your judgment and the rules of the tournament. The club where I do tournaments has the vinyl mats that have notation on them and I feel no shame in requesting to put one of those on top of the wooden chess tables. There are always a few people who do that and nobody seems to care one way or the other. If you can find a quads tournament those are really nice to play in. You get placed in a group with three other people of similar rating to yourself and you all play one another one game. I found it was more fun than stressful. Tournaments are a fun way to meet new people who also play chess which is really the best part of playing OTB 
I hope you go and have a great time! [Edited to add: if you do go be sure to circle back and let us know how it went!]
First time tournament
I agree with @SukeyTawdry's assessment. The one item that newcomers (and sometimes old timers) have difficulty with is setting the clock. However there is always someone to help with that. I also agree that Quads are a good place to start as you are playing with people of similar skill levels.
Longer time controls are better as well so that you do not have the pressure to move as in shorter times.
I hope that you go because OTB is fun. If you lose your opponent will be happy to review the game with you and then you can get better. OTB is great because not only do you get to play chess but there are often other things going on. It really is a community which is much better than playing alone on your computer. Good luck!
Very good advice from the two above. I would additionally add that OTB has more distractions. You have to document moves and handle the clock in addition to the game itself. And if it's a big tournament, you have to deal with small kids coming and going and making noise. So longer time controls give you more time to deal with everything so that you don't blunder from feeling rushed.
Know your rules and don't be afraid to stop the clock and call the TD if someone violates something. Read Chapter 1 of the rule book. You can download it for free at uschess.org. Local clubs can be more lax on the rules but large tournaments can be strict.
Bring your own standard chess set with letters and numbers. I like to arrive early and set up my own board and pieces so that you at least have that familiarity. You can usually get away with this even if you are playing white. But see rule 39A. Also, see Rule 15C regarding scorekeeping under time pressure, which talks about when the scorekeeping requirement is excused.
Above all, have fun! OTB tournaments are very fun, especially the big ones.
Thanks for the suggestions. I actually purchased the latest rule book so I have something to look over when I have nothing else doing.
I appreciate the advise, especially about my own chess set. I'll look into that. Keep adding to the post, maybe this thread will help others.
Hey, as a person who has only played a few OTB tournaments, I was shocked at just how different OTB was compared to online chess. Your going to find that people around 1100 USCF may be around 1700 chess.com+ but the thing is, everyone plays like a 2000 online player. The games don't have many obvious blunders, lines are a lot more calculated and more. I think what would help the most would be creating an opening repertoire so you know how to respond to certain openings and the types of middlegames they would transpose into. Also, you might find yourself shivering a lot from nerves while playing. This is completely normal and it should start to go away after a few tournaments. However make sure you do bring a jacket because of this. Stay calm, think about your moves, and keep track of your time, it may seem like 30 minutes is a lot but time will go a lot faster while playing your game so make sure your using your opponents time as well in order to calculate lines. Also, have fun! Just play to the best of your ability and review on your experience later!
Also you really get better at chess from playing otb and you feel like you play a good game lol.
dont play in tournaments untill you are strong enough to win all of your provisional games in lower rated tournaments
I have played in a few tournaments and I will give my humble opinion:
Make sure the Time Control is at least 30 minutes with increment or delay,
Make sure you get in the lowest section—I saw that you’re 800 rapid and would recommend that you wait till you’re at least 1000 before going to a tournament—if you must go.
Also, you usually do have to take notations. However, the tournaments I’ve been to have had plenty of notation sheets, pencils, and helpful people who will help you set the clock. They also have boards available if you and you’re opponent don’t have one. It will always have the coordinates on the sides.
Makes sure, however, above all these, that you have fun!
(Be Advised!) You will lose many rating points if you go now to your first tournament and lose to several other low rated players. The first 25 OTB games you play will drastically effect your rating because they are provisional games. If you really want to play, then go and enjoy! If you are more serious about chess, then wait, study, reach 1000 rapid, and then go crush some low rated opponents.
P.S. If the sections are U1100, U1800, and Open, play in the U1100. The Open will have many high rated sharks and they will eat you.
Re: not playing in tourneys until you're higher rated, you can often see who's registered for events ahead of time. If you see there aren't other lower-rated players registered I'd skip that tournament because you don't want to come away feeling disheartened. Where I am however there are always players rated under 1000 (even in the 400 range) and if you find that to be true where you are too you should definitely join in the fun
I've been thinking of entering a tournament to see how good, or bad, I really am. I don't play much OTB so I am looking forward to the experience, although a little trepidatious. I believe I have to make notation, which I've never done before, though I'm aware of how to do it. I just can't image it with a board with no A-H or 1-8 on it!
For those players who are tournament savvy, what are some of the things you wish you had known before your first, or what advise can you offer someone who is looking to do their first?
BTW, I usually play either 10 minute rapid or 3 day correspondence games currently. I have no interest in blitz or anything like that.