LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Brace yourself for fried foods, carnival rides and live music! The Kentucky State Fair returns to Louisville this August.
Starting Thursday, Aug. 18 the fair will be back at the Kentucky Exposition Center until Aug. 28.
Here's everything you need to know.
Tickets
Advanced admission tickets are available online for $10, advanced tickets come with parking. However, you can also pay for a ticket at the gate for the same price, but will need to pay for parking separately.
Children 5 years and under get in for free.
Unlimited ride wristbands for the fair's attractions in Thrill Ville/Midway are available online for $30, or $35 at the gate.
Kentucky Association of Health Plans (KAHP) will have a COVID-19 pop-up clinic and incentive giveaway.
They will be giving away free unlimited ride wristbands and $25 gift cards (while supplies last) to attendees that go to booth B419 in the Health Horizon Pavilion in South Wing B to receive a vaccine or booster shot.
The clinic's hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They are closed Sunday.
Admission to the fair ends one hour before the outdoor closing time each day. Ride wristband sales end an hour before closing as well. Individual ride ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing time.
NOTE: Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian after 6 p.m. Proof of age is required and it will be checked at the gate.
Parking
Parking is included if you purchase the advanced admissions ticket, otherwise it will cost $10 in addition to the price of your ticket at the gate.
If you plan on going to the fair this year, it's recommended to purchase tickets in advance to save a few dollars.
Road Closures
If you are traveling out to the fairgrounds, Louisville Metro Police has released restricted traffic and no parking areas.
Restricted Traffic
Aug. 19 - Aug. 21 and Aug. 26 - Aug. 28
8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Phillips Lane from Monarch to Freedom Way (authorized vehicles)
- Phillips Lane from Freedom Way to Crittenden Drive (residents, guests and Phillips Lane business patrons only)
No Stopping Anytime (on both sides of the following streets)
- Phillips Lane from Preston Highway to Crittenden Drive
- Monarch Drive from Phillips Lane to Manning Road
- Emberson Avenue from Phillips to End
- Crittenden Drive from Cheyenne Avenue to Gate 3
Hours of Operation
Inside Area:
- Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Outside Area:
- Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Thrill Ville Rides:
- Monday-Thursday: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Saturday: 1 p.m. 11 p.m.
- Sunday: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On the Kentucky State Fair's final day, Aug. 28, the hours of operations slightly change. Here are the adjusted hours for the last day:
Sunday, Aug. 28:
- Inside Area: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Outside Area: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Thrill Ville Rides: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Who's performing this year?
More than a dozen big name artists will be performing at this year's Texas Roadhouse Concert Series, which is located in Parking Lot L.
Here's some of this year's performers:
- Russell Dickerson
- Con Funk Shun
- Midnight Star
- Black Stone Cherry
- Lorrie Morgan
- We The Kingdom
- Anne Wilson
- Happy Together Tour
- John Michael Montgomery and Walker Montgomery
- Noah Thompson
- Night Ranger
- Noah Guthrie
- Trace Adkins
- Niko Moon
For a full list of performers and to see when each musician plays, please click here for the full concert schedule.
Besides music, there will also be dozens of other opportunities to sit back and enjoy a free show at this year's state fair including the Miller's Border Collies, 9/11 Never Forget exhibit, the Big Tent and much more.
Click here for a full list of free shows.
Horse Shows
Back for another year the "richest and most prestigious" horse show returns to Louisville, attracting competitors from around the globe.
The World's Championship Horse Show crowns champion Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies and Road Horses in various divisions every year in conjunction with the state fair. There is more than $1 million in prizes.
There will also be two other horse shows, the Quarter Horse Show and the 4-H Horse Show.
For more information, including a complete list of attractions, animals and exhibits, visit the fair's website.
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