Sunday January 25, 2026
Local Connection
Weather
Traffic
@LouisvilleDispatch
@LouisvilleDisp
SubscribeThe Kentucky State Fair runs Aug. 17-27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center and is the largest summertime attraction in the Commonwealth.
The 11-day celebration stays true to its 113-year heritage, while each year offering fairgoers exciting new experiences, food, music, animals, exhibits, entertainment and more.
- New Kentucky State Fair App Fairgoers can make the most of their experience with the Fair’s new app, free on Google Play and the App Store:
- Tickets: save money by purchasing advance parking and admission
- Tastes of the Fair: find those once-a-year food favorites
- What’s Hot: see what’s “trending” at the Fair
- My Schedule: create daily schedules of “must-see” music and entertainment
- News: get weather, parking and news updates
- Now and Next: see what’s going on now, and later
- Main Stage: order tickets for I Love the 90s Tour, Alabama and Southern Uprising Tour
- Fun Photo Filters: use filters to create unique Fair photos
- Find Your Fun: check out which entertainers are on stage and what animals are in the stalls
- Thrill Ville New Name, Better Location The Midway has a new name – Thrill Ville – and a new location closer to the heart of the Fair.
- Easier access to rides, especially with free parking across from Gate 1 on weekends
- Closer to air-conditioned indoor space to cool off
- Quicker access to food and entertainment tents, and indoor exhibit areas
- New Food at the Fair All the old favorites will be at the Fair – corn dogs, ice cream, donut burgers, fudge, fried fish and more. But get ready to bite into some of the new arrivals this year:
- Alligator
- Fried mac ‘n cheese balls
- Farm-to-table burgers
- Frog legs
- Tator tots with toppings
- FAIRenheit 17 Mini Music Festival Feel the Louisville love and celebrate all things local at the first annual FAIRenheit festival Thursday, Aug. 24 from 6 to 11 p.m.
- Local food trucks: Fresh out of the Box, Smoking Cantina and Celtic Pig
- Local craft breweries, distilleries and wineries: Copper & Kings and more
- Local bands: Ben Sollee with special guests Tony and the Tan Lines and 64West
- Local aerialists and fire artists
- Local artisans
- New Acts, Animals and Awards From wallabies to Wallendas and mascots to the moon, check out new acts, events, competitions and more.
- Flying Wallendas perform the high-wire daredevil acts that’ve made them famous
- Aussie Kingdom introduces fairgoers to their native kangaroos, wallabies, reptiles and birds
- Total Eclipse Experience, Aug. 21, invites everyone to experience the biggest eclipse in American history
- Kentucky Remembers with a walk-through WWI barrack and educational displays
- Hip Hop Juggler from Harlem awes audiences with hip-hop music and juggling
- Cooks vs. Cons competition keeps audiences guessing – who’s the cook and who’s the con artist
- Blue Ribbon Stage features interactive, educational shows from the Louisville Zoo, Kentucky Science Center, Kentucky Derby Museum, League of Mascots and more
- Kentucky Living presents its Best in Kentucky awards Aug. 24 at 10 a.m.
- Owsley Brown II Portable Planetarium brings stars and the galaxy to life
The 2017 Kentucky State Fair is Aug. 17-27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org or find the Fair on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or its blog.
Photo: F1 ChampBoat Racing
International Outboard Grand Prix (IOGP) Powerboats will take control of Louisville’s waterfront on August 18-20 for the third race of the IOGP F1 ChampBoat Championship series racing season, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of racing, entertainment, and fun on the Ohio River in downtown Louisville.
Teams from across North America will converge on Waterfront Park to compete in the inaugural Louisville Regatta Grand Prix with the most-nimble power boats in the world that generate more G-forces than any other racing machine with top speeds of 150 MPH.
“We are excited to bring a world-class professional racing series to Louisville, and are very pleased with the enthusiastic reception we are receiving from Kentuckiana race fans,” said Mike Schriefer, president of IOGP. “The buzz in Louisville has been awesome. We know there are a lot of race fans and boaters in this part of the country, so we are excited about this event becoming one of our flagship races for many years.”
“Downtown Louisville on the Ohio River is the perfect ‘Natural Marine Stadium’ for IOGP and our kind of racing and entertainment,” Schriefer continued.
Greg Foster, who drives for Dillard Financial Services #53, comes to Louisville as the points leader in the IOGP F1 ChampBoat Series after a victory on August 6 at the EQT Three Rivers Regatta in Pittsburgh. He hopes to increase his lead with a strong finish in Kentucky.
“There is a huge coolness factor associated with this type of powerboat racing in the US and abroad, and our team at the Louisville Sports Commission has been working for 10 years to bring this event to Louisville,” said LSC President & CEO Karl Schmitt. “The accessibility of recreation on the river via Waterfront Park, a three-year commitment from the nationally recognized IOGP, and local residents’ affinity for boating were huge factors in making this event happen.”
The Louisville Regatta Grand Prix kicks off Friday afternoon with open practice for the F1 ChampBoats taking place from 3 to 5 p.m. Live music featuring Louisville-based “From Paris” kicks off the Regatta Festival. Saturday’s events include practice midday, heat races in the afternoon, and local rock band “Mary Mary” that night. In addition to great bands on Friday and Saturday night, DJFun will be cranking out the tunes throughout the day along with a late-night foam party scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.
The F1 ChampBoat finals will run Sunday afternoon from 1-5 p.m.
Advanced tickets are available at www.LouisvilleGrandPrix.com or at the gate. Papa John’s is offering a $5 discount coupon when local residents order pizza delivery. The coupon can be redeemed at the gate.
The Kentucky State Fair runs Aug. 17-27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. It’s the Commonwealth’s largest summertime attraction – and America’s largest indoor fair. The celebration’s popularity draws nearly 600,000 visitors for the once-a-year opportunity to experience fair food, music, animals, exhibits, entertainment and more.
The Kentucky State Fair offers money-saving discounts, promotions and programs to ensure all residents are able to enjoy the festivities.
- EXPRESS LANES: AUG. 17-27 Fairgoers save time and money by pre-purchasing both parking and admission tickets – only they can use the express lanes at Gates 1, 3, 4 and 6.
- ADVANCE DISCOUNT ADMISSION: ENDS WEDNESDAY, AUG. 16 Fairgoers of all ages – adults, children and seniors – pay $7 for advance tickets and $10 at the gate. Children five and under are free. Advance discount tickets are available on Kentucky State Fair’s new app and website until midnight Aug. 16, plus participating Kroger locations until 10 p.m. Aug. 16.
- ADVANCE DISCOUNT PARKING: ENDS WEDNESDAY, AUG. 16 Fairgoers pay $5 for advance parking and $10 at the gate. Advance discount parking is available on Kentucky State Fair’s new app and website until midnight Aug. 16, plus participating Kroger locations until 10 p.m. Aug. 16.
- FREE WEEKEND PARKING: FRIDAY 5 P.M. – SUNDAY From Friday at 5 p.m. through Sunday, fairgoers can park for free in the lot on Phillips Lane across from Gate 1, the main entrance to the Kentucky Exposition Center. Free parking is first come, first served.
- TARC RIDER PROGRAM: AUG. 17-27 Riders can take TARC to a regular stop at the Kentucky Exposition Center, ask the driver for a State Fair card, redeem it at the gate and pay only $7 admission to the Fair.
- ADVANCE DISCOUNT THRILL VILLE WRISTBANDS, ENDS WEDNESDAY, AUG. 16 at 5 P.M. Fairgoers save with advance Thrill Ville wristbands: $20 for adults and $12 for children 46″ and under. Advance wristbands are available on the Kentucky State Fair website. Onsite prices are $25 for adults and $12 for children.
- MILITARY SUNDAY SALUTE: SUNDAY, AUG. 20 A special ceremony honoring the military will be held during the Oak Ridge Boys’ concert Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. in Cardinal Stadium, featuring the presentation of colors, national anthem and guest speakers. Active and retired military and their families receive free passes for Aug. 20. There is a limit of four passes and parking is not included. Passes are available on the Kentucky State Fair website. Thrill Ville wristbands will be available to military onsite for $10 with military ID.
- SENIOR DAY (55 AND OVER): TUESDAY, AUG. 22 Seniors are admitted free before 5 p.m. Parking is not included. Seniors are invited to Heritage Hall for a free cup of a coffee – and singing, games, dancing, bingo, music and more. DirecTV (Streamline Communications) sponsors the day and will offer a free lunch from the Pork Producers to the first 1,000 seniors in Heritage Hall.
- ALL IN: CARLOAD DAY: THURSDAY, AUG. 24 Admission and parking are just $20 per vehicle before 5 p.m. Vehicles with 12 or more passengers pay $100.
The 2017 Kentucky State Fair is Aug. 17-27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org or find the Fair on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or its blog.
There is a special weekend in August when the people of Newburg come together to celebrate unity and pride and welcome back former residents to one of Louisville’s well established neighborhoods. This year “Newburg Days” will get underway on Friday, August 18th, Saturday, August 19th and Sunday, August 20th.
“It is time to welcome back old friends and family as the people of Newburg come together to have some fun, remember old times and share friendships in our community,” says Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin (D-2). “We want to welcome everyone and ask them to come out and join us for some fun and entertainment.”
“Newburg Days” kicks off on Friday with rides and music in Petersburg/Newburg Park. Saturday begins with the Community Breakfast in the Petersburg Park. Newburg Community Days is known for its parade which begins at 12:00pm and continues through out many local streets in the Newburg area. This year, there will be tournaments in cornhole and basketball tournament, children’s activities which include face painting and balloons. The Seniors Tent will feature a variety of activities throughout the afternoon.
On Sunday, a community worship service and gospel festival will highlight the last day of the event. Here is the schedule of events for Newburg Days:
Friday, August 18th
- Vendor/food booths and Carnival Rides open at 6:00pm
- O.G. Nation-Young OG (Rap and R&B) 7:00pm
Saturday, August 19th
- Community Breakfast 9:00 AM
- Corn Hole Tournament 11:00am
- Basketball Tournament 12:00pm -6:00pm
- Community Parade 11:30am (Line up time at George Unseld Learning Center)
- Recreation on the Go, Field Events for Children 1:30-4:30pm
- Senior Citizens’ Tent Band Entertainment 7:00pm -9:00pm
- Vendor/Food Booths/Carnival Rides-All Day
Sunday, August 20th
- Worship Services: In the park 11:00am
- Senior Luncheon: Community Baptist Church Annex 1:00pm – 3:00pm
- Basketball Tournament 12:00pm – 6:00pm
- Gospel Festival: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
- Vendor/Food Booths: All Day
- Carnival Rides: 2:00pm Start Time
There are also many community volunteers and organizations who will come out to help with various activities. “Those of us who live in Newburg know it is a wonderful place to live and we are keeping the tradition of the old fashion community get together like the kind many towns had in years past. So come out and join us,” says Shanklin. For more information about “Newburg Community Days”, contact Councilwoman Shanklin’s Office at 574-1102.
“5th Annual CQ Jam for WaterStep” to be Held at Captain’s Quarters on September 9
The 5th Annual CQ Jam for WaterStep will be held at Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille, at 5700 Captain’s Quarters Road in Prospect, on Saturday, September 9 from 2pm to Midnight. The fundraiser will benefit WaterStep, the local organization that works to save lives around the world with safe water, and will feature a performance by “The Gators” with lead singer of the Legacy Platters Lonza Bartlett and Motown artist AJ Mullins. The event has expanded to bring 10 full hours of music and entertainment to the waterfront, with doors opening at 2pm. The suggested donation is $20 per person. For more information, call (502) 568-6342 or visit www.waterstep.org.
Also appearing will be Kentuckiana’s newest and hottest bands including “The Dons” with a fast-paced and colorful set of great cover songs and family fun for all ages. Local singer-guitarist Jeff Walter will open the show, and The Moon Dogs, The Slyk Band and Louisville’s Rockin’ Rotary Band will also perform.
The Platters were one of the most successful vocal groups of the rock-and-roll era with 40 singles in the Billboard Hot 100 from 1955 to 1967, including 4 number one hits. The Legacy Platters were formed in the early 1990’s and now Lonza Bartlett has taken the center stage with this legendary group.
The Gators Show, formed by Bartlett and Mullins, is something very unique, especially if you like to dance to Michael Jackson, Prince, Bruno Mars, and Earth Wind and Fire. The Gators bring this renowned show north from Florida where it received critical acclaim. Joining Bartlett and Mullins on stage is instrumentalist Jordon Henry, who has developed a reputation as the one of the most skilled and versatile performers in the country.
“Having The Gators and their line up of singers and performers means this will be one of the best entertainment shows in Louisville this season,” says Andrew Masterson of Captain’s Quarters. “We are so fortunate and excited to host this event and have them be a part of it.”
New to the event this year will be performances by the Fleur-De-Lis Academy of Ballet of Louisville, performing to afro-Cuban, salsa, jazz, and modern styles of music throughout the day. Fleur-De-Lis Academy Director Ariadne McAuley noted, “We are excited to showcase the talents of our instructors and students at this amazing event on the Ohio River. WaterStep is such an important cause and we are proud to join in the efforts to make this a great event.”
Attendees are also encouraged to bring their gently used shoes to the event to donate to WaterStep. The nonprofit’s shoe program not only generates funds for the organization, but it also keeps tons of waste out of landfills by repurposing the shoes. Any size, style, and condition of shoes are accepted.
The CQ Jam is presented by Huffman Automotive, with additional support from Overhead Door of Louisville, Paradigm Yacht Sales, Harrods Creek Boat Owners Association, Louisville Magazine, BrightStrokes Painting, and McDonald’s of Prospect.
Attorney General Andy Beshear and the Prosecutors Advisory Council (PAC) are joining with local law enforcement officials statewide to crackdown on impaired driving during the heavily-traveled upcoming Labor Day holiday.
The Attorney General’s Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, part of PAC, is working with Beshear to highlight the upcoming national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, Aug. 16 to Sept. 4.
“Law enforcement visibility will be elevated and citations will be issued at a much larger rate during this crackdown period,” Beshear said. “PAC has notified all our state prosecutors to expect a greater amount of cases on their upcoming traffic dockets because of the crackdown.”
There were more than 4,200 collisions involving alcohol in Kentucky last year, resulting in more than 1,900 injuries and 119 fatalities, Beshear said.
During the 2016 Labor Day holiday weekend, there were more than 60 collisions involving alcohol, resulting in 30 injuries and two fatalities, he said.
The nationwide impaired driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement, high-profile events, and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb impaired driving.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is working with the AG’s office and local prosecutors on awareness efforts.
“MADD KY will continue to support the statewide campaign Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” said Rosalind Donald, MADD KY victim services specialist. “The increased patrols and efforts of our local heroes in law enforcement will keep our Kentucky roadways safe from the increase of impaired driving over the Labor Day weekend. Drunk driving is 100 percent preventable. MADD KY urges all Kentuckians to celebrate the last weeks of summer safely and with responsibility.”
“I lost my daughter Ashley on April 29, 2012, to a drunk, drugged driver,” said Theresa Martinez, a MADD volunteer and a member of the AG’s Survivors Council. “I fully support the efforts of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign. I thank law enforcement and state officials for their hard work to prevent a senseless tragedy that my family has suffered and from happening to other families. I encourage everyone to make the right choice to not drink and drive.”
For more information, visit the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign Headquarters at www.nhtsa.gov/drivesober.
As a way to start a new school year off right, Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin (D-2) and 1st Neighborhood Place will host Back to School Fest 2017 on Saturday, August 12th.
“It is important that children be ready to learn and have the tools they need in order to get off on the right foot this year,” says Shanklin. “This event will not only help with school supplies but it will be a chance for parents to get information about the new school year and have some fun.”
The Back to School Fest 2017 will be held at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 1501 Rangeland Road from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
Joining the Councilwoman and 1st Neighborhood Place is the Family Resource and Youth Service Centers of the Jefferson County Public Schools.
Some 1200 backpacks containing school supplies will be distributed on a first come first serve basis. A parent or adult must be with the child to receive a backpack. Councilwoman Shanklin and several Metro Council members provided funding for the backpacks and supplies.
Louisville Metro Police and the Okolona Fire Department will be on hand with local churches to provide fun activities. There will be a clothing giveaway and free hot dogs for everyone who attends.
For more information about the Back to School Fest 2017, contact the Thomas Jefferson Youth Services Center at 502-313-4541.