Are you ready for bizarre foods, concerts, the 'My Favorite Cake' contest, farm animals, midway rides, handmade quilts, and more? If you are, you're in luck. The Kentucky State Fair is finally here and the 2024 theme, which honors the fair's 120th anniversary, is fittingly "120 Years. 120 Counties."
The fair will be held Aug. 15-25 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, in Louisville and there's no shortage of events, from animal showings to taste foods, rides on the midway, free concerts, and more. Plus, come out and meet some of your favorite Courier Journal editors, photographers, and reporters during Courier Journal Day at the Kentucky State Fair on Friday, Aug. 16.
Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., we'll be handing out branded tote bags and newspapers and you can enter for a chance to win a four-pack of tickets to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. The Courier Journal meet and greet area is located at the entrance to the South Wing.
Here is a list of more than 10 things you can do at the 2024 Kentucky State Fair:
Did we miss your favorite event? Send a note to Gege Reed at greed1@courier-journal.com.
Thrill Ville at the Kentucky State Fair
WHAT:Get your heart pumping with at least 50 rides including the iconic Astro Ferris Wheel. Kissel Entertainment is the Thrill Ville operator. Height and age restrictions/requirements vary by ride.
WHEN:Aug. 15-25. Opens 3-10 p.m. Aug. 15, 19-21; 3-11 p.m. Aug. 16 and 23; 1-11 p.m. Aug. 17, 18 and 24; 1-10 p.m. Aug. 25.
COST: One-day unlimited ride wristbands are available for $30 online and at participating Kroger locations through Aug. 14. Price increases to $35, Aug. 15-25.
Texas Roadhouse Free Concert Series at the Kentucky State Fair
The 2024 Kentucky State Fair free concert series offers a variety of genres, including country, hip hop, retro-pop, Christian, heavy metal, oldies and R&B. Something for everyone. The concert area opens daily at 6:30 p.m. and concerts start at 8 p.m. On Aug. 25, the area opens at 4:30 p.m. and the concert at 6 p.m. (Lot L)
Thursday, Aug. 15:Lonestar and Eddie Montgomery
Friday, Aug. 16: The Sugarhill Gang, Melle Mel & Scorpio (of Furious Five), Ying Yang Twins
Saturday, Aug. 17:Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, Quiet Riot
Sunday, Aug. 18:The Oak Ridge Boys, The Country Gold Tour including Leroy Van Dyke, Linda Davis, Jimmy Fortune, Rockland Road
Monday, Aug. 19:Cain, Katy Nichole
Tuesday, Aug. 20:Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, The Cowsills, Badfinger, The Vogues, The Association, Jay and the Americans
Wednesday, Aug. 21:Justin Moore, Alex Miller
Thursday, Aug. 22:Everclear, Marcy Playground
Friday, Aug. 23:.38 Special, Exile
Saturday, Aug. 24: Lauren Alaina, Mackenzie Porter, Kelsey Hart
Sunday, Aug. 25: Tauren Wells, Consumed By Fire
121st World's Championship Horse Show
WHAT:The world’s most prestigious Saddlebred show is held in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair and crowns world champion Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies and Road Horses in different divisions. The show attracts spectators and competitors from across the world and includes over 2,000 horses competing for more than $1.5 million in awards. Horses compete in divisions including Three-Gaited, Five-Gaited, Fine Harness, Saddlebred Pleasure, Saddle Seat Equitation, Hackney/Harness Ponies, Roadster, In-Hand, and American Saddlebred. Each division includes several classes for amateurs, ladies, amateur ladies, and junior exhibitors, as well as younger horses and ponies.
WHERE:Freedom Hall, 937 Phillips Lane
WHEN:Aug. 17-24. For a complete schedule visit wchorseshow.com.
COST: Starts at $8 Aug. 17-22; $11 Aug. 23-24; free Aug. 18 (noon.), Aug. 19-21, 23-24 (9 a.m.). Price does not include fair admission and parking. Tickets may be purchased at the Kentucky Exposition Center ticket office and online at kystatefair.org/tickets.
Beerfest
WHAT:Beerfest is back for its second year. The festival features 4-ounce pours from 10 craft breweries and 20 craft beers, live music, food trucks and lawn games. Breweries: Against the Grain, Atrium Brewing, Goodwood Brewing, Gravely Brewing, Monnik Beer, West Sixth, Hop Atomic, Last Stop Brewing, Country Boy and Braxton.
WHERE:Lot L
WHEN:Aug. 23, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
COST: $40 in advance until Aug. 22; price increases to $50 the day of Beerfest. Price does not include fair admission.
Free entertainment at the Kentucky State Fair
WHAT:Here are some of the free shows and entertainment at the Kentucky State Fair:
120 Years, 120 Counties:An exhibition of the 120 Kentucky counties and the state’s unique make-up of rural and urban life. Every corner of the state contributes to the diverse and vibrant culture celebrated at the fair.
Brad Weston:Comic juggler (South Wing C Lobby)
Ducklin Slide: Baby ducks going down a slide (South Wing A)
Lady Houdini:Escape artist (Courtyard outside the West Hall entrance doors)
Live Milking Demonstrations: (South Wing A)
Marvelous Mutts:Canine sports entertainment show that features some of the world’s finest athletes all adopted from shelters and rescues. (Lot A)
Miller's Border Collies:Trained dogs execute herding techniques on command in the Show Ring (West Wing)
Strong & Amazing Aerial Stunt Show:Outside the Pavilion in the tent
North Wing:Find competitive entries & demonstrations including the textiles demonstrations
South Wing C:Vendors with jewelry and souvenirs to crafts and collectibles and a variety of mouthwatering desserts and fair food, there’s something for everyone
West Hall:View entries like bees, honey, country ham, eggs, field seed and grain, fruits and nuts, tobacco and vegetables
East Hall:Competitive entries showcase of antiques, culinary, fine art and crafts, hobbies, plants and flowers, homebrew beer, and homemade wine
Food & music tents at the Kentucky State Fair
WHAT:Feed your need for entertainment, food, music, and beer at The BIG Tent, an outdoor family entertainment space andthe popular Budweiser Tent.
BIG Tent:Black Top Rodeo, Dance Hall Hooligans, Exit 105, Friday Night Special, Geru Y Su Legión 7, Hank Rose Project, Judge Angus, Kentucky Blue, Rockland Road, Shotgun Serenade, Soul Circus, Sound Machine, Throwback Thursday (Lot A outside South Wing A).
Budweiser Tent:Bill May All Stars, Corridor 64, E & R Project, Judge Angus, Juice Box Heroes, Midnight Radio, Moonshine Magnolia, Most Wanted, No Compromise, Rock Station, Savannah Dean, Soul Circus, Soul Kitchen, The Bottle Trees, The Mad Taxpayers, The Wilson Brothers, Top Shelf (West Lawn).
WHERE: The BIG Tent (in Lot A outside South Wing A); Budweiser Tent (West Lawn)
WHEN: Aug. 15-25
Cooking Stage at the Kentucky State Fair
WHAT:Demonstrations by chefs, caterers, and bakers from across the Commonwealth and live cooking demonstrations and competitions.
WHERE:State-of-the-art Farm to Fair cooking stage (South Wing A Lobby)
Health Horizons at the Kentucky State Fair
WHAT: Learn more about your health with free health screenings and interactive exhibits by local medical professionals. Sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services, American Red Cross, and UofL Health.
WHERE: South Wing B
Special discount entry days at the 2024 Kentucky State Fair
WHAT: There are four days where you can get reduced or free entry to the Kentucky State Fair:
Aug. 18:Military Sunday at the state fair. Active, retired military, veterans and their families receive free admission with military ID. There is a limit of four free tickets and parking is not included. Thrill Ville wristbands will be discounted 20% off and available on-site only. Limit of four wristbands per valid military ID.
Aug. 19:$5 Monday at the Kentucky State Fair. Admission is $5 per person and includes parking.
Aug. 20:Senior Day: Free admission for fairgoers ages 55 and older. Parking is not included.
Aug. 21:Sensory Awareness Day. Free admission and Thrill Ville tickets will be given to fairgoers with sensory processing differences. From 10 a.m. until noon, Thrill Ville will operate with minimal lights and music to create an enjoyable fair experience for those with sensory sensitivities. Limited tickets are available.
Check out the animals at the Kentucky State Fair
WHAT: Want to see dairy cattle, dairy goats, or swine? What about the lambs, sheep, Boer goats, and mules and jacks?
WHEN:
Dairy cattle (Aug. 15-18, Broadbent Arena)
Dairy goats, (Aug. 15-17, West Wing)
Rabbits, poultry, and pigeons (Aug. 15-17, Pavilion)
Boer goats (Aug. 17, West Wing)
Mules and jacks (Aug. 17-19, Broadbent Arena)
Sheep (Aug. 19-21, 23-25, Pavilion)
Swine (Aug. 20-25, Pavilion)
Beef Cattle (Aug. 20-25, Broadbent Arena)
Explore Kentucky's farm heritage at the State Fair's Agland
WHAT: Features more than an acre of agriculture exhibits in South Wing A highlighting Kentucky's farm and field heritage, including the future of farming and agribusiness. Sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Ag, KY Beef Council, KY Soybean Board, KY Farm Bureau Federation, University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Kentucky State University, and Southland Dairy Farmers.
WHERE: South Wing A
Reach features clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 2024 Kentucky State Fair things to do: midway rides, free concerts
