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The 2015 Kentucky State Fair concluded its 111th edition on Sunday and, in the process, recorded a higher number of attendees than in recent years. This year’s event drew 601,672 visitors to the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is more than a 16% increase in attendance from the 515,937 visitors who attended the rain-soaked fair in 2014. This marks the sixth time in the last 10 years that attendance has exceeded 600,000. The attendance record was set in 1994 when 684,356 visitors passed through the fair gates.
Visitors to all 11 days of the Fair were rewarded with sunny skies and warm temperatures, minus any inclement weather, making the Turf Concert Series performances all well-attended. Along with the favorable weather helping with improved attendance figures, several new initiatives debuted this year that were geared toward making the Fair more accessible and affordable.
These included advanced discounted parking and admission tickets available for purchase at Kroger, Walmart, and online at Ticketmaster. Those riding TARC to the Fair, which nearly 1,000 visitors took advantage of, received half off of a regular-priced adult admission. The age for free child admission was raised from 3 to 5. Additionally, there were two “carload days” where $20 covered entry for an entire vehicle.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather over the duration of this year’s fair, and that was a big part of why we saw such a dramatic increase in attendance, along with several new discount programs offered for the first time,” said President and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe. “Once again the exhibitors and organizers of the Fair put on a world class demonstration of attractions, competitions and live performances that represent the best Kentucky has to offer.”
The 11-day event generated approximately $16.5 million in economic impact across the community and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and was responsible for creating hundreds of temporary jobs.
Next year’s Kentucky State Fair will be held August 18-28, 2016. For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org. For highlights, photos, and more from the 2015 Kentucky State Fair, be sure to visit the Louisville Dispatch Facebook page.
There is still plenty of time to get out and enjoy the final days of the 2015 Kentucky State Fair, which runs through this Sunday.
There is entertainment for everyone at the fair. Children (and kids at heart) will enjoy the performing animal acts like JUMP! The Ultimate Dog Challenge, Miller’s Border Collies, and Cuzzin’ Grumpy’s Porkchop Revue. Fair-goers looking for thrills will want to check acts like the Chinese Acrobats of Hebei or Team FMX.
Foodies looking for something interesting for their pallets may want to try a few of the many vendors that are selling unique items like the Philly Cheesesteak Doughnut Burger, a deep fried bacon-wrapped Oreo, or some traditional Kentucky favorites with a twist like the Hot Brown on a Stick or the deep fried Derby Pie. There are also cooking contests and demonstrations throughout the day as well. On Friday, there’s a Taste of Beef Challenge and Cast Iron Skillet competition. Those interested in farming will enjoy a walk through the Agriculture exhibits to see various fruits, vegetables, and grains that were grown throughout the state, including a pumpkin that weighs over 800 lbs.
Attendees interested in the performing arts won’t have to look far. Alumni and faculty of the Jefferson County Youth Performing Arts School are performing two different musicals celebrating the history of the Constitution and the Emancipation Proclamation. Dance lovers will also be able to see cloggers, square dancers, and other forms of dancing during the fair daily.
For the animal lovers there are sheep, swine and beef cattle competitions daily and, on Sunday, there will be a draft horse and mule pull. For a more hands on experience with animals, there is the Discovery Farm in the exhibit hall where fair goers can see ducklings learning to swim, learn about dairy, and have a chance to see chickens hatch. The World’s Championship Horse Show is wrapping as well. Free seating is available in Freedom Hall starting at 9:00 AM in the Upper Level.
There is no shortage of musical entertainment either. Visitors to the 2015 Kentucky State Fair can visit any of the many venues placed throughout the grounds. There are a variety of bands playing all day that will surely suit everyone’s tastes. There are also concerts nightly in the Cardinal Stadium, many of them free with fair admission. Charlie Daniels with Colt Ford will be playing Friday at 8:00 PM and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts with Devour the Day will be playing at the same time on Saturday. Sunday at 8:00 PM Boyz II Men and Kool & The Gang will be playing. Tickets for this show can be purchased through Ticketmaster with prices ranging from $50 to $1800, which includes standard fair admission.
Be sure to check out our 2015 Kentucky State Fair album on Facebook for more photos of all the action.
Kentucky State Fair officials have announced the cancellation of Meghan Trainor’s M Train Tour at the Kentucky State Fair on August 20. The news comes after Trainor cancelled the remainder of her tour dates and released the following message:
Really bad news… I was being careful and taking precautions, but I have hemorrhaged my vocal cords again. I got bronchitis & have been coughing a lot & that pushed it over the edge. Sadly, I will need to cancel the remainder of my tour and get surgery to finally fix this once and for all. I am devastated and so sorry. I LOVE touring and seeing your beautiful faces every night. I am determined to do what it takes to get better and come back stronger than ever. I love you, and thank you for all of your understanding, love and support.
Tickets purchased for the concert will be refunded at point of purchase. Tickets purchased online through Ticketmaster.com will receive an automatic refund.
The 2015 Kentucky State Fair is August 20-30 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center is $8. For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org.
The Kentucky State Fair board has announced that the hiring of more than 750 temporary employees for the event will begin August 10.
Positions include ticket sellers, gate attendants, maintenance workers, and tram drivers. Wages start at $10.10 an hour. Qualified applicants must be at least 18 years old and have proper identification verifying eligibility to work.
Interested applicants must apply in person at either the KY Expo Center (South Wing C) or the employment trailer at Gate 4 of the KY Expo Center according the schedule below.
KY Exposition Center, South Wing C
August 10: 7 A.M. until 4 P.M.
August 11: 10 A.M. until 6 P.M.
August 12, 13, and 14: 8 A.M. until 4 P.M.
Employment Trailer, Gate 4 at the KY Exposition Center
August 15: 8 A.M. until 12 P.M.
August 17: 8 A.M. until 4 P.M.
August 18: 6 A.M. until 6 P.M.
August 19 and 20: 7:30 A.M. until Midnight
August 21: 7:30 A.M. until 8 P.M.
August 22: 7:30 AM until 10 P.M.
August 23 – 28: 7:30 A.M. until 8 P.M.
August 29: 7:30 A.M. until 10 P.M.
August 30: 7:30 A.M. until 2 P.M.
For additional information, call the Employment Office at (502) 367- 5235
The Kentucky State Fair will kick off the 11-day 2015 season Thursday, August 20. Gates will open a 7 A.M. daily with exhibits opening at 9 A.M. Discounted admission (available until August 19 at Ticketmaster outlets or on the KY State Fair website) is $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12 and seniors. Admission at the gate is $10 for adults and $6 for children and seniors.
Parking is $8 per car although discounted parking passes can be purchased in advance for $5. Free off-site parking is available on weekends at the Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium and will include free tram service to the fairgrounds.
The Midway and tents will close around midnight daily and the exhibit hall will close at 9 P.M. during weekdays and 10 P.M. on weekends. Some areas may close earlier on the last day of the fair.
Running concurrently during the Kentucky State Fair, the World’s Championship Horse Show will take place in Freedom Hall, August 22-29. Free performances will be held at 9 A.M. August 24 – 29, daily. Seating will be in the upper level of the arena.
Special Promotions
Thursday, August 20 – Carload Day Pay only $20 for an entire vehicle until 5 p.m. (includes parking)
Sunday, August 23 – Military Sunday All active duty and veteran military personnel and their families save 50% on admission with valid military ID.
Tuesday, August 25 – Senior Day Admission is only $1 for seniors 55 and over before 6 p.m. Parking not included.
Thursday, August 27 – Carload Day Pay only $20 for an entire vehicle until 5 p.m. (includes parking)
Main-Stage Concerts
Thursday, August 20 – Meghan Trainor “MTrain Tour” with special guests Charlie Puth and Life of Dillon Freedom Hall, 7 p.m. – $50, $52.50
Friday, August 21 – Barrels and Boots Music Festival at the Kentucky State Fair presented by your local iHeartRadio station featuring Montgomery Gentry and John Michael Montgomery with RaeLynn, Eric Paslay, Kelsie May and Craig Campbell Freedom Hall, 5 p.m. – $37
Sunday, August 30 – Boyz II Men and Kool & The Gang Freedom Hall, 8 p.m. – $50, $55
Turf Concert Series (Free with Fair Admission)
Thursday, August 20 – Slaughter and Great White Cardinal Stadium, 8 p.m.
Friday, August 21 – Jagged Edge with special guest Dru Hill Cardinal Stadium, 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 22 – All That Remains Cardinal Stadium, 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 23 – Oak Ridge Boys with special guest Belles & Whistles Sponsored by Hillshire Farm Cardinal Stadium, 8 p.m.
Monday, August 24 – Casting Crowns with special guest I Am They Cardinal Stadium, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, August 25 – Country Gold Tour featuring Leroy Van Dyke, Steve and Rudy Gatlin, Moe Bandy, Eddy Raven, Jimmy Fortune and Gene Watson Cardinal Stadium, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, August 26 – Easton Corbin with special guest Nathan Osmond Sponsored by Weaver Leather Cardinal Stadium, 8 p.m.
Thursday, August 27 – Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, The Association, The Cowsills, Mark Lindsay, The Buckinghams and The Grass Roots Sponsored by Habitat for Humanity Cardinal Stadium, 8 p.m.
Friday, August 28 – Charlie Daniels with special guest Colt Ford Sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America Cardinal Stadium, 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 29 – Joan Jett with special guest Devour the Day Cardinal Stadium, 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 30 – Family Force 5, Hawk Nelson, Matt Maher, For King and Country Cardinal Stadium, 4 p.m.
The 2014 Kentucky State Fair is wrapping up this weekend. Don’t miss your last opportunity to spend a beautiful Kentucky summer day (and night) enjoying everything that the fair has to offer today and tomorrow.
Of course, the midway, inside exhibits and daily attractions are going all day, including live music, ventriloquists, the cirque-style Gantry Show, freestyle motocross demonstrations, rides, games and, of course, fair food. Tonight at 7PM are the Coca-Cola Talent Classic finals. At 8, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts will perform at Cardinal Stadium with special guests Devour the Day. Tomorrow includes all of the daily attractions with special musical guests Mercy Me performing at Cardinal Stadium at 4PM.
Visit the Kentucky State Fair website for all of the details and full schedule.
View our 2014 Kentucky State Fair photo gallery on Facebook, get live updates on our Twitter feed, and keep coming back to LouisvilleDispatch.com for more pictures. Continue reading
Several wrecks in and around the metro area combine with Kentucky State Fair traffic to slow down Tuesday evening’s commute for Louisvillians. At least two of these crashes occurred on eastbound Gene Snyder between I-65 and New Cut Road.
One accident involved a pickup truck which collided with a tractor trailer near New Cut. Despite occupying both lanes of Gene Snyder, traffic was still moving eastbound as Louisville Dispatch staff was in the area. Crews working the overturned vehicle near I-65 had traffic blocked and backed up with westbound traffic also slowing to a crawl.
Drive safely and expect delays if you are headed out to see Kenny Rogers at the State Fair or any of this evening’s events around Louisville.
Get live traffic information and drive times for the Louisville area any time on the Louisville Dispatch Traffic Information Page.