Author: Ian Cox

Join us for several events on the opening day of the 120th Kentucky State Fair recognizing and honoring the Commonwealth’s heritage, heritage, and culture. All events listed below occur on August 15, 2024 (1) Commodity Appreciation Breakfast – Hosted by the Agricultural Commodity Organizations Starting at 8:40 a.m. at the Great Kentucky Proud Cookout Tent. Breakfast serving begins around 8 a.m. with programming beginning at the listed time. (2) Kentucky State Fair Opening Day Ceremonies – Hosted by Kentucky Venues Starting at 10:15 a.m. at the Front of Freedom Hall. Bluegrass music begins around 10 a.m. with programming beginning at the listed time. (3) Unveiling of the 120 Years, 120 Counties Exhibition – Hosted by Kentucky Venues & Kentucky Lottery Starting at 11:30 a.m. in South Wing B. The opportunity to view parts of the exhibit will begin prior, with the unveiling of the beginning panels and programming beginning at 11:30 a.m. RSVP is not required to attend. Kentucky State Fair Admission & Parking required for entry. […]

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National Craft Month: Cross stitcher Carla Preston Cross stitch chose Carla Preston. Over the years she tried many hobbies. Her grandmother unsuccessfully tried teaching her crochet. Although she learned how to make a chain stitch, she wasn’t interested in continuing. Next, she tried plastic canvas work, which was “okay.” Then came cross stitch.  She discovered the craft by happenstance. During college a high school classmate lived down the hall who cross stitched. Carla saw a piece displayed, asked how she did it and 30 years later her passion for cross stitch continues.  “There’s something captivating to me about cross stitching and how those perfect little Xs make pictures come to life,” said Carla.  Award Winning Artist Her favorite piece she has created won second place at the Kentucky State Fair last year. She carefully crafted a full coverage cross stich, meaning no fabric shows through the stitching, picture of Michael Jackson. Starting with a photo, she built her own pattern to create the piece titled “The Master at Work.” Michael Jackson is her favorite singer, so the portrait is near and dear to her heart. That’s not her only Kentucky State Fair victory. She got third place for an artistic cross stitch of her brother’s family and an honorable mention for a cross stitch of a Victorian lady.  “I haven’t entered many items (I’m a slow stitcher), each one that I’ve entered has won something.  One of my ‘bucket list’ items is to win a blue ribbon at the state fair, so maybe one year soon I’ll get one,” said Carla.  She is currently working on a full coverage Buster Keaton piece and plans to start another based on a picture of Lucille Ball. Currently, she has 13 projects going and rotates between cross stitches to keep it interesting. That’s a small number compared to May, when she participates in the cross stitch community’s Maynia event, where she’ll start a new project every day of the month.  Want to Learn Potential cross stitchers look no further! Carla has her on “FlossTube” channel (aka a cross stitch YouTube channel) with a multi-part getting started tutorial series. Beginning with the basics, like materials and stitches, Carla walks you through the whole process. You can find her at The Crazy Cross Stitch Lady (LINK).  “I was surprised at how easy the craft is and wondered why more people didn’t do it.  At the time I was learning, cross stitch had fallen out of favor after a heyday in the 1980s, so you just didn’t hear a lot about it and not many people I knew were still doing it.  In the last 5-10 years, though, it has come back full force.” Said Carla.  The 2023 Kentucky State Fair is August 17-27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville KY. Entries will open in early May. Information will be available on http://kystatefair.org/participate/compete/.    […]

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The placings for the Five-Gaited World’s Grand Champion increased from eight to ten. The World’s Championship Horse Show’s largest prize continues to grow in prestige and value. With support from the Goodman and Manilow Families and the Barbara Blacklaw Memorial Fund, the prize money has increased to $155,000 and the class placings have expanded from eight to ten for the Five-Gaited World’s Grand Champion. In 2019, a $1 million endowment was the gift from William Blacklaw in memory of his wife and is invested in an interest-bearing account. Accrued interest on the endowment will be disbursed annually to provide additional prize money to ribbon winners in the Five-Gaited World’s Grand Championship competition held on the final night of the World’s Championship Horse Show. “The World’s Championship Horse Show is one of the oldest and most storied parts of the Kentucky State Fair, continuing through world wars and societal changes. This event has continued to showcase the top horses and riders in the world thanks to generous donations from people like The Goodman and Manilow Families and Mr. Blacklaw. We’re appreciative of all they have done for the Saddlebred industry,” said David S. Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues. The World’s Championship Horse Show returns to Freedom Hall Aug. 22-29. The event is held in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 show is closed to the public. For more information about the World’s Championship Horse Show, visit wchorseshow.com. […]

Read More… from World’s Championship Horse Show Announces Additional Prize Money

The Kentucky State Fair is responding to the spread of COVID-19 by closing the public portion of the event. Only participants and assisting family members will be able to attend the 2020 Kentucky State Fair. “The Kentucky State Fair has addressed and overcome many challenges in its storied history. The Kentucky State Fair Board carefully considered the public’s concerns regarding health and safety and realized the Fair needed further modification. Although the Fair will be different this year, the rich tradition of promoting the equestrian and agricultural progress of the state will endure.” said Steven Wilson, the Kentucky State Fair Board Chairman.  In addition to previous measures taken, additional public portions of the 2020 Kentucky State Fair will be canceled including: The Texas Roadhouse concert series,  Outdoor entertainment Thrill Ville (also referred to as the Midway)  Lot A exhibits Kentucky State Fair Entertainment Tent Outdoor Food Vendors “With an abundance of caution to protect our fairgoers, participants and employees, and at the direction of the administration, we have modified the 2020 Kentucky State Fair to be a participant only show. This will allow core elements including the World’s Championship Horse Show and the youth livestock competition to continue safely,” said David S. Beck President and CEO of Kentucky Venues. With a shift to a participant-only show, the Kentucky State Fair will have a more feasible way to perform contact tracing, an essential step in reducing the spread of COVID-19. For those participating in livestock competition and the horse show, there will be increased handwashing stations, mask requirements throughout the facility, additional cleaning protocols and other changes.   For more information about the Kentucky State Fair’s COVID-19 plan, visit http://kystatefair.org/covid-19-plan.            […]

Read More… from Kentucky State Fair Announces Additional Changes

KY State Fair Quarter Horse Show Questions- Is the 2020 KY State Fair Quarter Horse Show canceled? Yes, the quarter horse show was canceled this year 2020 WCHS Questions- Why haven’t I received my prize list? Or can you mail me a prize list? We are not printing a prize list due to delays caused by Covid-19, prize list will be available online https://wchorseshow.com/ Who can attend the Show? Horse shows must limit attendance to: essential staff, volunteers, and service providers; judges; trainers; participants/riders; groomers, and; owners. If a participant is a minor, their parents or primary caregivers may attend with them. What credentials do owners need to get into Freedom Hall to watch? Owners and Parents will pick up tickets for the session/sessions that their horse/horses are in at the Horse Show Office Who can have armbands? Grooms-these bands will get you into the makeup arena Trainers-these bands will get you into the makeup arena and on the rail (these are only for trainers) Media-will get you into the upper bowl Can grooms stay in the barns? Yes, grooms are allowed to stay with the horses at night Are gatherings allowed in the barns? No large gathering will be allowed Each stall is allowed 2 people Everyone in the barns must social distance How many media per magazine? 3 media bands allowed per magazine Where can I watch the show? Pay per View link will be posted at https://wchorseshow.com/live-streaming/ How do I go about scheduling a time to come to the horse show office? There will be a Large Schedule board located outside of the Horse Show Office Box Seat Tickets There are no Box Seats or Suites for the 2020 WCHS- If you have paid for your box seats you will be reimbursed The tickets will remain in your name for use 2021. Where is the Horse Show Office Located Inside Freedom Hall in the Eastside Suite Will there be VIP parking Yes, VIP Parking passes can be purchased Can we still purchase Gate Books? Yes, they will be available for pre-purchase and in the Horse Show Office Eligibility: All horses are eligible, but the horses with the most points will be able to show.  If the class is not filled to capacity, then the horses with no or few points will be drawn in order to participate. This will be done as soon as the entries are all entered and those not eligible will be notified immediately. Entry Deadlines The entry date is July 6 until July 20th The post entry fee of $1,000 has been waived this year due to the circumstances of Covid-19 […]

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The Kentucky State Fair is a proud tradition for many families and people across the state of Kentucky. From fun rides, fascinating exhibits, farm life, and great livestock, the Kentucky State Fair has something for everyone to enjoy. The best 11 days of summer has so much to offer in such a short span of time, as the 2019 Kentucky State Fair comes to an end, let’s look at some of this year’s Fair favorites. MARVELOUS MUTTS These mutts have talent! The Marvelous Mutts show is action packed with canine sport. The canine and handler teams perform with frisbees, agility racing and dock diving to wow the crowd. The Marvelous Mutts are sure to leave you oohing and awing!   BMX PROS TRICK TEAM A new free show this year at the fair, the BMX Pros Trick Team have feel at home amongst the Kentucky State Fairgoers. Their show is full of high flying action with tricks that allows you to experience X Games talent right here in your home state! RENATA THE BAND Renata the Band, a trio of siblings, return to the Kentucky State Fair and have quickly become a favorite performer to many Fairgoers. Touring together full-time for nearly nine years, they are seasoned veterans in the music industry that are sure to make an audience get on their feet and dance.       DAIRY CATTLE COSTUME CONTEST The Youth Dairy Cattle Costume Contest at the Kentucky State Fair is a competition like no other. Participates from all across the state of Kentucky gather their most charming calf and style them with the perfect costume. Even though the dairy cattle have gone home there’s still plenty of adorable beef cattle to see!   KEEPING IT CLASSIC WITH CORNDOGS Every year there seems to be a favorite fair food, this year everyone is keeping it classic with these delicious corndogs! […]

Read More… from Fun at the Fair: 2019 Favorites

The second annual Championship Drive was held at the 2019 Kentucky State Fair on Thursday, Aug. 22, rewarding exhibitors for the hours of work poured into their show animals. Over 60 4-H and FFA exhibitors participated in the Championship Drive, and 20 students went home with banners. “The Championship Drive was so inspiring and touching. Young members will look up to the champions. They are the model for how things should be done,” said Gloria Bolin, the Kentucky 4-H President. The relaxed yet intense environment made all the competitors feel like they belonged on the main stage. The exhibitors wanted to put on the best show possible to be selected as Grand Champions. Allison Fink, the Grand Champion Goat exhibitor said, “I feel like your heart kind of stops for a minute. I’ve won before and it’s the same feeling that I’ve had. I really wanted it like everyone else in there did. It’s just a really good feeling when you see them walk towards you and put their hand out to shake.” CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVE WINNERS: Grand Champion Steer: Addison Arnett, Montgomery Co. 4-H Reserve Champion Steer: Blake Quiggins, Hart Co. FFA 3rd Overall Steer: Macey Shelton, Bourbon Co. FFA 4th Overall Steer: Addison Arnett, Montgomery Co. 4-H 5th Overall Steer: Macey Shelton, Bourbon Co. FFA Kentucky Proud Champion: Elli Ramey, Pendleton Co. FFA Kentucky Proud Res Champion: Colby Cooper, Fleming Co. 4-H Grand Champion Hog: Brayden Lancaster, Meade Co. 4-H Reserve Champion Hog: Blair Cupps, Boone Co. 4-H 3rd Overall Hog: Kasey Johnson, Mason Co. FFA 4th Overall Hog: Saulyer Logsdon, McLean Co. FFA 5th Overall Hog: Kirstin Ayer, McLean Co. FFA Kentucky Proud Champion: Saulyer Logsdon, McLean Co. FFA Kentucky Proud Res Champion: Kasey Johnson, Mason Co. FFA Grand Champion Lamb: Blake Quiggins, Hart Co. FFA Reserve Champion Lamb: Clayton Burks, Breckenridge Co. FFA 3rd Overall Lamb: Carlee Church, Mason Co. 4-H 4th Overall Lamb: Mason Miracle, Bourbon Co. FFA 5th Overall Lamb: Macey Shelton, Bourbon Co. FFA Kentucky Proud Champion: Mason Miracle, Bourbon Co. FFA Kentucky Proud Res Champion: Wyatt Acey, Boyle Co. 4-H Grand Champion Goat: Allison Fink, Clark Co. FFA Reserve Champion Goat: Avery Holman, Boyle Co. 4-H 3rd Overall Goat: Madison Goecke, Bracken Co. FFA 4th Overall Goat: Phoenix Stacy, Greenup Co. 4-H 5th Overall Goat: Madison Goecke, Bracken Co. FFA Kentucky Proud Champion: Avery Holman, Boyle Co. 4-H Kentucky Proud Res Champion: Chance Flach, Mercer Co. FFA […]

Read More… from New Champions are Crowned at the 2019 Championship Drive