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Mecum Auctions, the world’s largest collector-car auction company, returns to Louisville to sell an estimated 600 American muscle car, classic, Corvette, hot rod, Resto Mod, and more. There will also be a free muscle car thrill ride experience where guests can ride along with a trained driver on a closed course.
The event starts at 10AM this Friday and Saturday in the Kentucky Exposition Center. Admission is $30 per day (Children 12 and younger are admitted free). As always, parking for the Exposition Center is $10 per vehicle or $20 per bus. More information can be found online at the Mecum website.
Guests can create a customized Kentucky State Fair experience next month by downloading a new software program for mobile devices. The app is designed to connect users to all the unique events and attractions that make the Kentucky State Fair unforgettable.
The 2018 Kentucky State Fair mobile app is now available free on both Google Play and the App Store.
Highlighted features include:
- Attractions: check out which entertainers are on stage and what animals are in the stalls
- Trending: see what’s popular at the Fair
- Schedule: create daily schedules of must-see music and entertainment
- News & FAQ: get weather, parking and breaking news updates
- Maps: find locations of exhibitors, attractions and food
Advance tickets and parking for the Kentucky State Fair are available and can be purchased online via the app through 10 p.m. Aug. 15, as well as at participating Kroger locations.
Ticket prices are:
- General (Ages 6+); Children under 5 are free with adult
- In advance: $7
- Online During Fair: $8
- At The Gate: $10
- Parking
- In advance: $5
- Online During Fair: $8
- At The Gate: $10
The 2018 Kentucky State Fair is Aug. 16-26 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org or find the Fair on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or its blog.
The two leaders who most recently guided the Kentucky State Fair Board agree its future is in good hands with new President and CEO David Beck.
Beck officially began his new role at Kentucky Venues on July 1.
Secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Don Parkinson, and Chairman of the Kentucky State Fair Board, Dr. Mark Lynn, who recently served separate terms as interim CEO at Kentucky Venues, predict David Beck will be the most consequential leader in the organization’s history.
“David successfully led a large organization, involved in major state and national legislative regulatory issues, affecting agriculture and rural Kentucky,” said Secretary Parkinson. “He brings a wealth of business expertise to the sixth largest convention operation in the nation.”
Kentucky Venues operates the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC), the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC) and produces the Kentucky State Fair, National Farm Machinery Show and North American International Livestock Exposition.
“The blend of leadership capability, knowledge of Kentucky and ability to unite diverse industries set David apart in his role as CEO,” said Dr. Lynn.
Beck sees tremendous opportunities at Kentucky Venues. Beck will preside over grand reopening of KICC on August 6. The downtown Louisville convention center has been closed for 24 months to allow $207 million worth of building renovations to be completed.
Beck says the 540 acre complex at the Kentucky Exposition Center is an ideal location for additional private development such as hotels and entertainment venues.
“KEC sits at the corner of Interstates 65 and 264. That is some of the most valuable property in Kentucky. We are asking private companies to give us ideas on how we can collaborate with them to enhance that area for our citizens and guests to our state. I’m excited about developing something special there.”
Beck said other priorities in his new job include bringing together the urban and rural communities and forming strategic partnerships across the state.
“I want Kentucky Venues to serve as an example of how government entities can operate effectively and efficiently,” said Beck.
Additionally, Beck is reimagining facility use at both properties. Beck plans to increase revenue through new business events and agriculture shows.
“I not only want to preserve the rich tradition of our properties but also enhance it for future Kentuckians and guests,” said Beck.
After 41 years with Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB), Beck brings to Kentucky Venues experience in agribusiness, government affairs, and executive management. Prior to his retirement at KFB, he served as the company’s Executive Vice President. A five-member search committee was appointed in January by Kentucky State Fair Board Chairman Dr. Mark Lynn to review applications for the president/CEO position that had been vacant since September 2017.
Visit www.kyvenues.com for more information about spaces and events at Kentucky Venues.
Fairgoers and those attending events at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) can shorten entry times and avoid paying more to park by purchasing advance parking online. In the Kentucky State Fair Board’s meeting on January 18, 2018, they voted to increase parking fees for all KEC events from $8 per vehicle to $10 per vehicle for customers paying at the gate effective July 1, 2018.
Those who purchase parking in advance online will not experience the rate increase. Click here to purchase advance parking online.
SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, the world’s largest showcase of skilled trades, returns to the Kentucky Exposition Center June 25-29. The event brings with it an estimated economic impact of $18 million to Louisville.
More than 16,000 middle-school, high-school and college students; teachers; education leaders; and representatives from national corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions participate in the event.
The conference highlight is the annual SkillsUSA Championships. During the competition, top career and technical students participate in more than 100 hands-on contests, representing a wide range of technical, skilled, service and health occupations, including:
- Architectural drafting
- Welding
- Carpentry
- Firefighting
- Cosmetology
- Plumbing
- Culinary arts
- Aviation maintenance technology
- Crime scene investigation
- Electrical construction wiring
- Masonry
- Digital cinema production
- Practical nursing
- Sheet metal
In addition to competing, 600 Skills USA students will complete community service projects in the greater Louisville community. Projects range from framing houses for Habitat for Humanity to helping clean up local parks.
SkillsUSA Championships is free and open to the public Wednesday, June 27 and Thursday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is $8 per car, $20 for a bus.
The mission of SkillsUSA is to ensure a skilled workforce by preparing students for success in their chosen technical, service and health fields. Founded in 1965, the organization has served 12.5 million members, and more than 335,000 advisors and students participate each year.
For more information, visit www.skillsusa.org.
The Military Vehicle Preservation Association International Convention brings together historic military vehicle enthusiasts from around the world. Many of the best vehicles of all types and eras including hundreds of restored and original vehicles, parts vendors, seminars and more.
The Convention is in the South Wing at the Kentucky Exposition Center. It starts this Thursday, June 14th, and continues through Saturday. The show opens at 8 AM each day and closes at 5 PM.
Tickets are $35 for all three days, or $10 for Saturday only. Children under the age of 12 and active duty military are free. Parking at the Exposition Center is $8 per vehicle or $20 per bus.
More information can be found online at: www.mvpa.org/convention
One of the largest off-road industry shows in the country, the Unlimited Off-Road American Show & Expo roars into the Kentucky Exposition Center June 1-3 in South Wing C and Lots B, V and W.
The Unlimited Off-Road American Show & Expo (UOR) showcases a huge collection of off-road companies, parts, equipment, gear and experts. Events focus on off-road racing, rock crawling, trail riding, sand sports, motorcycles, UTVs and ATVs, adventure camping and more. Visitors discover the latest products and innovations, get first-hand experience on demo rides, and meet professionals who live the off-road lifestyle.
Crowd daily favorites include:
- BFGoodrich Jeep Drives: Take a BFGoodrich Jeep on a specially designed off-road course
- Five-Acre Obstacle Course: bring 4×4 vehicle and tackle jumps, climbs, a mud pit and more
- Show & Shine Contest: show off vehicle and compete for cash prizes
- Racer Lounge: meet the racers
- Garage and Live Build: watch skilled technicians at work
- Over 200+ exhibitors: see new products, save with special deals
Show hours are:
- Friday, June 1, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saturday, June 2, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sunday, June 3, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Sunday events feature a swap meet and trail riding)
Purchase tickets online at uorshow.com/ky. Prices are:
- Adults:
- in advance: $15 for a one-day pass $20 for a three-day pass
- at the door: $20 for a one-day pass$35 for a three-day pass
- Children ten and under are free.
- Additional packages and discounts are available online.
- Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center is $8 per vehicle and $20 per bus.
For more information and a complete schedule, visit uorshow.com/ky.
