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 [email protected].
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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)
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:
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 and the popular Budweiser Tent.
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:
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:
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 [email protected]