From concerts and animals to fried food & more, 12+ things to do at the Kentucky State Fair
Are you ready for bizarre foods, live music, farm animals, midway rides, handmade quilts, and more? Well, you're in luck because the Kentucky State Fair is back, Aug. 17-27, at the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville.
The theme this year is "Summer Summed Up," and you can experience all the Kentucky State Fair has to offer with events including the free Texas Roadhouse Concert Series, a new beer festival, and a wide array of entertainment options.
For a full list of events and more information, visit kystatefair.org. But if you're looking for a little guidance, here are more than a dozen things you can do at the 2023 Kentucky State Fair:
Beerfest at the 2023 Kentucky State Fair
WHAT: The Kentucky State Fair presents the inaugural Beerfest. More than 20 breweries from around the Bluegrass come together to showcase their craft beers for fairgoers to enjoy. Participants receive 10 four-ounce samples from participating breweries. For ages 21 and older.
WHERE: Near the Texas Roadhouse Concert Stage in Lot L
WHEN: Aug. 19, 1-6 p.m.
COST: $15 through Aug. 15; $20 Aug. 16-18; $25 Aug. 19. This does not include fair admission or parking.
World's Championship Horse Show
WHAT: The world’s most prestigious saddle-bred show is held annually in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair and crowns world champion Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies and Road Horses in different divisions. The show attracts spectators and competitors from across the world and includes over 2,000 horses competing for more than $1.5 million in awards. Horses compete in divisions including Three-Gaited, Five-Gaited, Fine Harness, Saddle-bred Pleasure, Saddle Seat Equitation, Hackney/Harness Ponies, Roadster, In-Hand, and American Saddle-bred. Each division includes several classes for amateurs, ladies, amateur ladies, and junior exhibitors, as well as younger horses and ponies.
WHERE: Freedom Hall, 937 Phillips Lane
WHEN: Aug. 19-26. For a complete schedule visit wchorseshow.com
TICKETS: $8 Aug. 19-24; $11 Aug. 25-26; free Aug. 20 (noon) and Aug. 21-23, 25-26 (9 a.m.). This does not include admission to the fair. Tickets may be purchased at the Kentucky Exposition Center ticket office and online at ticketmaster.com or wchorseshow.com/tickets.
Thrill Ville at the Kentucky State Fair
WHAT: Get your heart pumping with a variety of carnival rides including Alakazam, Hell Taxi, King Tower, Python Roller Coaster, High Roller, Flying Circus, Sizzler, Astro Wheel 1 and 2, Oxygen, Star Scream, Rock O’ Plane, Tilt a Whirl, Tea Cups, Ghoster Coaster, Giant Fun Slide and more. Height and age restrictions/requirements vary by ride.
WHEN: Aug. 17-27. Monday-Thursday, 3-10 p.m.; Friday, 3-11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 20), 1-11 p.m.; Sunday (Aug. 27), 1-10 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: One-day unlimited ride wristbands are available for $30 online through Aug. 16; $35, Aug. 17-27.
Texas Roadhouse Free Concert Series at the Kentucky State Fair
The 2023 Kentucky State Fair is bringing its free concert series that offers a variety of genres, including country, hip hop, retro-pop, Christian, heavy metal, oldies, and R&B. Something for everyone. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and concerts start at 8 p.m., lot L adjacent to Kentucky Kingdom and Broadbent Arena.
Thursday, Aug. 17 — Chris Janson with special guest Alex Miller
Friday, Aug. 18 — Morris Day and the Time with special guest Tag Team
Saturday, Aug. 19 — Foghat with special guest The Kentucky Headhunters
Sunday, Aug. 20 — The Oak Ridge Boys with special guest T.G. Sheppard
Monday, Aug. 21 — Casting Crowns with special guest Stephen McWhirter
Tuesday, Aug. 22 — Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, The Classics IV, and The Cowsills
Wednesday, Aug. 23 — Larry Fleet with special guest Tyler Rich
Thursday, Aug. 24 — Vince Neil the Legendary Voice with special guest Autograph
Friday, Aug. 25 — Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry with special guest Lonestar
Saturday, Aug. 26 — Warren Zeiders with special guest JD Shelburne
Free entertainment at the Kentucky State Fair
WHAT: Free shows and entertainment at the Kentucky State Fair:
The Backyard: An outdoor family entertainment space located in Lot A adjacent to the South Wing. The Backyard is where you’ll find unique food, drinks and entertainment including Groovy Guy, Kazual, Cole Ritter & the Night Owls, Kelsey Rae & 21 B, Dennis Lee Band, David Garrard, Rockland Road, Dueling Pianos, Renata the Band, Masflow Band and Brazeros Musical De Durango and various community acts that are sure to entertain the entire family (Lot A adjacent to the South Wing).
Miller's Border Collies: Trained dogs execute herding techniques on command in the Show Ring.
Marvelous Mutts: Canine sport entertainment show that features some of the world’s finest athletes all adopted from shelters and rescues.
Jason D’Vaude - The Circus Man: Comedic juggling, fire, and balancing acts include precarious stunts, sharp objects, and a dash of danger – all with a smile and a laugh.
The Dennis Lee Show: Tap your toes and laugh along with this musical comedian and his band.
Kazal: Family band of three brothers and a cousin, combine sounds of R&B, pop, and hip hop together for an a capella experience unlike any other.
Rescue Ridge: Meet Kentucky’s first responders and military organizations.
Trivia Tractor: A fast-paced, interactive mobile game show that anyone can play.
Pride of the Counties: Learn about the tourist attractions, festivals, and recreational activities the 120 counties of Kentucky offer. Sponsored by Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company.
Discovery Farm: Learn what life is like on a Kentucky farm and meet cattle, goats, llamas, sheep, poultry and pigs. See live milking demonstrations and the duckling slide. Sponsored by Jefferson County Farm Bureau Insurance.
East Hall: Competitive entries showcase of antiques, culinary, fine art and crafts, hobbies, plants and flowers, homebrew beer, and homemade wine.
North Wing: Competitive entries and demonstrations including textiles demonstrations.
South Wing Shops: Vendors with jewelry and souvenirs to crafts and collectibles and a variety of mouthwatering desserts and fair food, there’s something for everyone.
West Hall: View entries like bees, honey, country ham, eggs, field seed and grain, fruits and nuts, tobacco and vegetables.
WHEN: Daily
Food & music tents at the Kentucky State Fair
WHAT: Feed your need for entertainment, food, music and beer and bourbon at The Backyard, the popular Budweiser Tent and the Bourbon & Brews Tent.
The Back Yard: Groovy Guy, Kazual, Cole Ritter & the Night Owls, Kelsey Rae & 21 B, Dennis Lee Band, David Garrard, Rockland Road, Dueling Pianos, Renata the Band, Masflow Band and Brazeros Musical De Durango and various community acts that are sure to entertain the entire family.
Budweiser Tent: Performers to be announced
Bourbon & Brews Tent: Fresh Cut Grass, Whiskey Bent Valley Boys, Kentucky Blue.
WHERE: The Backyard (in Lot A adjacent to the South Wing); Budweiser Tent (West Lawn) and Bluegrass, Bourbon & Brews Tent (Lot L near the Texas Roadhouse Concert Stage)
WHEN: Aug. 17-27
Farm to Fair Cooking Stage at the Kentucky State Fair
WHAT: Demonstrations by chefs, caterers, and bakers from across the Commonwealth and live cooking demonstrations and competitions.
WHERE: State-of-the-art Farm to Fair cooking stage (South Wing A Lobby)
MORE INFORMATION: For a complete schedule, visit kystatefair.org.
Explore Health Horizons at the Kentucky State Fair
WHAT: Learn more about your health with free health screenings and interactive exhibits by local medical professionals. Sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services, American Red Cross, and UofL Health.
WHERE: South Wing B
Explore Main Street Kentucky at the 2023 State Fair
WHAT: See interactive exhibits that celebrate Kentucky focusing on state government, arts, education, agriculture and more. Sponsored by Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, and Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.
WHERE: South Wing B
Special discount days at the 2023 Kentucky State Fair
WHAT: The fair will have four special discount days:
Aug. 17: The Kentucky State Fair announces a special one-day deal as Jefferson County Public Schools delays the start of school. Families can experience Summer Summed Up at the fair for a discounted rate. Each parent or guardian with paid admission can bring up to two students at no additional cost until 2 p.m. Parking is not included. Kissel Entertainment, the Thrill Ville operator, is offering a buy one get one all-day ride wristband. Thrill Ville will open at 3 p.m. Parents and guardians are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance online at kystatefair.org or at participating Kroger stores for $10, which includes parking. Admission at the gate is $10 per parent or guardian plus $10 per standard vehicle.
Aug. 20: Military Sunday at the state fair. Active, retired military, veterans and their families receive free admission with military ID. There is a limit of four passes and parking is not included. Thrill Ville wristbands will be discounted 20% off and available on-site only. Must show Military ID and have all family members with them at time of purchase. Limit six wristbands per valid military personnel ID.
Aug. 21: $5 Monday at the Kentucky State Fair. Admission is $5 per person and includes parking.
Aug. 22: Senior Day: Free admission for fairgoers ages 55 and older. Parking is not included.
Aug. 23: Sensory Awareness Day (10 a.m. to noon). The Kentucky State Fair and Kissel Entertainment are partnering with FEAT of Louisville, Home of the Innocents and Kentucky Autism Training Center to distribute free admission and midway tickets to family and fairgoers with sensory processing differences. Limited tickets are available. To receive tickets, email melissa@featlouisville.org or katc@louisville.edu.
Media Days at the Kentucky State Fair
Thursday, Aug. 17 — Kentucky Living (South Wing B)
Friday, Aug. 18 — Courier Journal
Sunday, Aug. 20 — Summit Media (Q103)
Monday, Aug. 21 — WJIE
Tuesday, Aug. 22 — WAVE
Wednesday, Aug. 23 — Alpha (Magic 101)
Thursday, Aug. 23 — Louisville Public Media; WLKY (South Wing B)
WHERE: South Wing A unless noted
Check out the animals at the Kentucky State Fair
WHAT: Want to see dairy cattle, dairy goats or swine? What about the lambs, sheep, Boer goats and mules and jacks? These and more are making their appearance at the Kentucky State Fair.
WHEN:
Dairy cattle (Aug. 17-20, Broadbent Arena)
Dairy goats, (Aug. 17-29, Pavilion)
Rabbits, poultry and pigeons (Aug. 17, Pavilion)
FFA Livestock judging (Aug. 17, Broadbent Arena)
Boer goats (Aug. 19, Pavilion)
Mules and jacks (Aug. 20, 21, Broadbent Arena)
Sheep (Aug. 22, 26, West Hall)
Swine (Aug. 22, 23, 24, Pavilion)
Beef (Aug. 23-27, Broadbent Arena)
Lamb (Aug. 23, West Hall)
Explore Kentucky's farm heritage at the State Fair's Agland
WHAT: Features more than an acre of agriculture exhibits in South Wing A highlighting Kentucky's farm and field heritage, including the future of farming and agribusiness. Sponsored by Kentucky Department of Ag, KY Beef Council, KY Soybean Board, KY Farm Bureau Federation, University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Kentucky State University and Southland Dairy Farmers.
WHERE: South Wing A
You may like: Kentucky State Fair food guide 2023: where to find funnel cakes, fried mac and cheese, more
You may like: Who is up for a BBQ Sundae? 10+ new foods to try at the 2023 Kentucky State Fair
Reach features clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky State Fair 2023 guide: rides, animal exhibits, Midway, food
