Kentucky State Fair Now Open

The gates of the Kentucky State Fair officially opened for the 2018 season on Thursday, marking the 116th Fair since becoming an official state event. Although the Fair did not earn that distinction until 1902, the event was first organized in 1816, just five years after the United States’ first fair was held in Massachusetts.

Tickets and parking can be purchased at any of the Kentucky Exposition Center’s entrance gates or online. The gates open at 7 AM each day of the Fair, with exhibits opening at 9 AM. Daily schedules can be found here.  The event features numerous special days, including:

• Today – 811 Day
  • Visit the Marathon Pipe Line Booth for a free T-shirt
• Sunday, August 19 – Military Sunday Salute
  • Free admission for active military, veterans and families (up to 4).  Discounts for Thrill Ville available. Parking not included.
• Tuesday, August 21 – Senior Day
  • All seniors age 55 or older receive free admission. Parking not included.
• Kentucky Farm Bureau and Carload Day
  • $20 per vehicle and $100 for vehicles with 12+ passengers. Parking included.

The Texas Roadhouse concert series that has usually been held at the old Cardinal’s Stadium has been moved to the new Bluegrass Village, near the entrance to Kentucky Kingdom. The concerts held here in the evening are included with paid fair admission. Tonight, fair visitors will be able to enjoy the music from Great White. Upcoming shows will feature:

• 8/19 – The Oak Ridge Boys
• 8/20 – Casting Crowns
• 8/21 – Happy Together Tour
• 8/22 – Chris Janson
• 8/23 – Chevelle
• 8/24 – Josh Turner
• 8/25 – The Commodores
• 8/26 – Mercyme

Visitors to the fair will also see that the exhibit hall has been arranged a bit differently. Instead of being in the West Hall, the 4H and FFA exhibits have been moved to the main exhibit hall area, in AgLand. The Discovery Farm has also been relocated into this area and features several stations to learn about livestock and a dairy cow demonstration.

Starting tonight, visitors will be able to attend to the World’s Championship Horse Show . Tickets are sold separately. Tonight, starting at 6 PM, is the last night for the Miniature Horse Show. If you have never attended this event, it is very entertaining. Many of the competitions highlight the ability of the miniature horse to be a service animal and it’s a great way for young people to get experience in a competition setting.

Whether you are there for the crazy fair food, like a funnel cake fries burger, the livestock, the music or the market area, there is something for everyone at the Kentucky State Fair.