It’s nearly time. TheKentucky State Fairkicks off Aug. 15 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, in Louisville. The annual showcase of all things Kentucky celebrates a milestone in 2024. Opening day will herald the 120th anniversary of the fair.
From Pike to Fulton, all 120 Kentucky counties will be represented during the 11-day event which will be teaming with tasty treats, exhilarating rides, and packed full of Bluegrass State agriculture and Kentucky talent.
With so much to see and do, a trip to theKentucky State Faircan feel overwhelming if you don’t have a plan. So to help you navigate the annual event, we’ve compiled nearly a dozen items guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth, get your toes tapping, give you a thrill, and maybe teach you something about the Commonwealth.
Here are 11 bucket list items for each of the 11 days of the120th Kentucky State Fair.
Eat a funnel cake or anything deep-fried at the Kentucky State Fair
The Kentucky State Fair is a food lover’s dream and a main attraction at the 11-day event. Plan to sink your teeth into a Krispy Kreme Donut Burger, deep-fried Oreos, pulled pork, funnel cakes, mac and cheese, and anything on a stick, such as corn dogs and cotton candy. And since 2024 is a special anniversary at the Kentucky State Fair, don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and try something new or different.
Take a picture next to the largest pumpkin at the Kentucky State Fair
Always a jaw-dropper, this year the Kentucky State Fair continues its long tradition of crowning the largest pumpkin and watermelon grown from Bluegrass soil. The weigh-ins take place on Saturday, Aug. 17. This year, Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell is growing a pumpkin. Any pumpkin that outweighs Shell’s pumpkin will receive additional recognition. If you didn’t grow your own behemoth pumpkin or watermelon, just take a photo next to one to remind you of the scale.
Stop and chat with Freddy Farm Bureau at the Kentucky State Fair
Freddy Farm Bureau is an 18-foot icon of the Kentucky State Fair. The larger-than-life, denim-clad friend farmer has been chatting it up with fairgoers for 66 years. No trip to the Kentucky State Fair is complete without saying “hello” to the big guy who returns to his favorite people-watching spot on the front porch of Freedom Hall.
Visit the Duckling Slide at the Kentucky State Fair
When it’s time to cool off from the Kentucky summer heat, grab an ice cream cone and wander over to the Duckling Slide. The cutest exhibit at the Kentucky State Fair is located inAgLandin South Wing A.
Watch as the sweet brood of ducklings waddle up to the top of the slide and careen down the other side. It must be fun because they seem content to continue this ducky dance for hours. In our opinion, by the time you finish your ice cream, you’ll have seen just the right amount of the Duckling Slide.
Check out the competitive food, craft entries at the Kentucky State Fair
From dollhouses to wedding cakes, fine photography, and fancy fish tanks, give yourself plenty of time to weave through the aisles of competitive entries in the East Hall.
Created by Kentuckians vying for a blue ribbon, see if you agree with the judges’ top picks in dozens of categories including antiques, culinary, fine art & crafts, hobbies, plants, flowers, homebrew beer, and homemade wine.
Sorry, no sampling is allowed. That’s reserved for the judges.
Visit the 121st World’s Championship Horse Show
Couldn’t make it to Paris, France for the 2024 Summer Olympics? The Kentucky State Fair has the next best thing when the world’s top Saddlebred horses compete during the World’s Championship Horse Show. Escape the heat of the day in the cool air-conditioning of Freedom Hall. Morning sessions are free and you can plop down in just about any open seat.
Look out for the horse retiring this year that has won four consecutive championships and also served as Tanya Tucker’s mount when she sang the National Anthem in 2022.
Visit the livestock exhibits at the 2024 Kentucky State Fair
We love the floppy rabbits, rambunctious roosters, and precious ponies housed in the fairground’s West Wing and Broadbent Arena during the Kentucky State Fair. It’s also fun to meet the farmers who tend to their livestock and learn about the primping process to get sheep, goats, and cows ready to show. For a complete schedule of livestock exhibits, visitkystatefair.org.
One note: you might want to skip a visit on Monday, Aug. 19 as this is Change Over Day and there are very few livestock or their owners in the barns.
Check out the free Texas Roadhouse Concert Series at the Kentucky State Fair
Next to food, music is a major draw at the Kentucky State Fair. This year is the 50th, and final time,The Oak Ridge Boyswill perform at the State Fair.
The Texas Roadhouse Concert Seriesis free with State Fair admission and the 2024 lineup also includes Lonestar and Eddie Money (Aug. 15), The Sugarhill Gan Melle Mel & Scorpio (Aug. 16), Stephen Pearcy of Ratt (Aug. 17), Oak Ridge Boys (Aug. 18), Cain (Aug. 19), Happy Together (Aug. 20), Justin Moore (Aug. 21), Everclear (Aug. 22), .38 Special (Aug. 23), Lauren Alaina (Aug. 24), and Tauren Wells (Aug. 25).
Check out the rides on the Midway at the Kentucky State Fair
While it might not be the scariest of all the rides, it is a favorite of nearly everyone who visits the Midway. Once you sit on a burlap sack and rip down the giant slide, can youreallysay you’ve enjoyed the Kentucky State Fair.
At least 50 rides, including thrill, family, and the iconic Astro Ferris Wheel, are coming to the fair. Thrill-seekers looking for all-day ride wristbands can get the best price by purchasing their Thrill Ville wristbands for $30, a $5 savings,onlineor at participating Kroger locations.
Be sure to check out the Grand Champion Ham at the Kentucky State Fair
How often do you run across a hunk of ham worth millions of dollars? The prospect of such a thing is worth a trip to the West Hall. That’s where you’ll find the Kentucky State Fair’s Grand Champion Ham lying about in all its glory. Each year, judges award one country ham “best in show” and that piece of pork is auctioned off for charity. In 2023, the Grand Champsold for $10 million. We’re not kidding. (Those had better be some tasty ham sandwiches!)
Stop by the Courier Journal booth at the Kentucky State Fair
If the apex of excitement on your Kentucky State Fair bucket list is to meet Courier Journal columnist Joe Gerth, you’re in luck. Friday, Aug. 16 is Courier Journal Day at the Fair and the entire staff of our iconic newspaper is anxious to meet our readers.
Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., we’ll be handing out branded tote bags and newspapers and you can enter for a chance to win a four-pack of tickets to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. The Courier Journal meet and greet area is located at the entrance to the South Wing and Joe Gerth will be manning the booth from 3-5 p.m.
