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SubscribeThe Kentucky Exposition Center goes to the dogs March 15-18 when thousands of canines compete in the Kentuckiana Cluster of Dog Shows and the Greater Louisville Training Club Agility Trials.
Kentuckiana Cluster of Dog Shows During the Kentuckiana Cluster of Dog Shows, top dogs from around the world will be judged based on conformation, obedience and agility. Winners of early rounds and AKC Champions will then move on to compete for Best of Breed. Depending on their performance, they can advance to group competition and Best of Show.
Special highlights during the show include:
- NEW: Puppy competition
- Dock-diving: dogs compete by jumping into a swimming pool and chasing a Frisbee
- Animal rescue organizations
The dog shows run Thursday, March 15 through Sunday, March 18 and are open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily in the West Wing, Pavilion and West Hall. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors (age 60 and over) and children (age 4-13). Thursday admission is free.
For more information, visit www.thekentuckianaclusterofdogshows.org.
Greater Louisville Training Club Agility Trials The dog agility trials run Thursday, March 15 through Sunday, March 18 and are open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily in Broadbent Arena at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Admission for this event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.greaterlouisvilletrainingclub.com.
Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center is $8 per vehicle and $20 per bus.
There’s a full line-up of events open to the public at the Kentucky Exposition Center the first weekend in March. From remodeling your dream home to watching a demolition derby, there’s something for everyone March 2-4.
- Louisville Home, Garden and Remodeling Show – March 2-4 The Home, Garden & Remodeling Show presented by Champion Windows is the largest home show in the state and one of the largest in the nation. More than 350 vendors participate each year and the show includes entertaining features and informative seminars. For more information, visit www.louisvillehomeshow.com.
- Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo – March 2-4 The Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo includes 12 different breed shows and sales as well as junior competition, judging competition and a trade show. For more information, visit http://kybeefexpo.com/index.htm.
- Kentucky Crafted: The Market – March 2-4 The Kentucky Crafted Market is the Kentucky Arts Council’s premier event of Kentucky artistry produced each year. The show features the highest quality art, craft, literature, music, film and food found in the state. For more information, visit http://artscouncil.ky.gov/KAC/Showcasing/Event_Market.htm.
- NDDA Presents the 3rd Annual Bluegrass Bash – March 3 Bluegrass Bash is bringing the car-crunching action of the demolition derby to Freedom Hall. More than 160 drivers will compete car-against-car until the last four cars still running are declared the winners. For more information, visit http://www.nationaldemoderby.com.
- Cheer Derby – March 3-4 Cheer Derby is a family fun and high energy all-star cheerleading competition. For more information, visit https://www.cheerderby.com.
Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center is $8 per vehicle and $20 per bus. For more information about the Kentucky Exposition, visit www.kyexpo.org.
The 2018 edition of the National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS) closed Saturday with an increase in attendance and ticket sales, and a record number of new exhibitors and exhibit sales.
Over 314,000 attendees packed the Kentucky Exposition Center for the four-day event that celebrated 53 years of providing the agricultural industry’s latest and most comprehensive display of equipment, services and technology. With the largest number of exhibitors in its history, NFMS spanned more than 1.3 million square feet filling 920 booths, for an increase of 40 exhibitors.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Championship Tractor Pull attendance was the largest number in recent history. Over 67,000 tickets were sold to the five performances in Freedom Hall. During the Saturday night finals, a ceremony honored past participants and the organizers of the first tractor pull. In a half-century of growth, the invitation-only tractor pull now draws the nation’s top drivers competing for the title of Grand Champion and more than $200,000 in prize money.
“For over half a century, the National Farm Machinery Show has delivered on its purpose to provide solid information and cutting edge technology to the farming community,” said Don Parkinson, interim CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board. “The largest indoor farm show along with the longest running championship tractor pull in one venue is unique to Kentucky and we look forward to another 50 years of championing agribusiness here in the Commonwealth.” Parkinson also serves as Secretary of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet.
As the nation’s largest indoor farm show, NFMS brings an economic impact of $17 million to Louisville annually, filling local hotels and restaurants with attendees from across the country and around the world. NFMS is owned and produced by the Kentucky State Fair Board.
The 2019 NFMS dates are February 13-16. For more information, visit www.farmmachineryshow.org.
The Kentucky Flea Market February Spring Fling includes more than 600 booths featuring one-of-a-kind items, collectibles, food and more.
Doors open: Friday, February 23, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, February 24, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, February 25, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Kentucky Exposition Center, South Wing A
Admission is free and open to the public. Parking is $8 per vehicle, $20 for a bus – $4 cash back with any purchase.
For fans who want to catch the high-horsepower action of the National Tractor Pull Championship, today is their last opportunity for the 2018 edition of the event, which is celebrating its 50th year in Freedom Hall this year. The finals will feature a variety of tractor sizes and stocks as well as 2-wheel drive Super Modified Trucks.
Visitors will be on the edge of their seats as they watch drivers use their trucks and tractors to drag the massive weighted sled down a dirt track. The sled (Bauer Built’s Iron Man) weight varies from class to class, but some of these vehicles are hauling more than 20 tons down the short 250 foot track.
Qualifying heats have been running since Wednesday for the finals tonight, which will feature such previous winners such Steve Bunnage from Golden Gate, IL as he tries to beat his Wednesday night result of 232.062 feet. The 2-wheel modified trucks will feature three lady drivers, including Bethany Nelson from Altamont, IL who won the heat last night by going 223.952 feet.
The Championship starts tonight at 7:00 PM with an early showing at noon and tickets are still available. As always with the Exposition Center, there’s a $8 per vehicle charge for parking. If you arrive early to get a good parking spot, the National Farm Machinery Show is open until 6:00 PM and admission is free.
The largest free-admission Christmas show in the country returns to the Kentucky Exposition Center Dec. 8-10 in South Wing C. Each year more than 50,000 shoppers attend and explore the 750 booths of holiday gifts and décor.
The Christmas Gift and Décor Show has been a Louisville tradition for over 25 years. With holiday decorations and a festive atmosphere, the show promises to be a fun experience for the entire family. Children who attend will have the opportunity to take a free photo with Santa.
Attendees can also meet former Cincinnati Bengals fullback and inventor of the “Ickey Shuffle,” Ickey Woods. Free meet and greets with Ickey will be held all three days.
Admission is free and hours are:
- Friday, Dec. 8 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 9 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 10 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Parking is $8 per vehicle and $20 per bus.
Click here for a map and information about parking, shuttles, wheelchair and scooter rentals, and more.
Tickets are now on sale for the 50th annual Championship Tractor Pull sponsored by Syngenta. The scream of monster engines, the smell of burning rubber and the ground-pounding vibrations of the country’s largest, loudest and most powerful pulling machines returns to Freedom Hall. More than 70,000 fans will watch as the nation’s top drivers compete for the title of Grand Champion and a share of over $200,000 in prize money.
The four day event starts February 14 and continues until the February 17. Tickets range in price from $20 to $45. All events start at 7:00 PM, except for Saturday where there are two events (the first is at 12:00 PM and the second is at 7:00 PM). Parking will be $8 per vehicle.
Tickets are available at the Kentucky Exposition Center Ticket Office, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.
