Kentucky State Fair in Louisville, KY

It's about that time again! Time for people to flood to the Kentucky Exposition Center and Fairgrounds to eat fried dough, be called to by carnies, and to enjoy hours of mullet watching. The Kentucky State Fair will soon be open.

The Kentucky State Fair is an annual attraction that draws people from all over the country for two weeks every summer. The fair has many indoor and outdoor attractions including concerts with music sensations such as Def Leppard, Styx, Trace Adkins, Saliva, American Idols Live, and others.

The many animals on display at the Kentucky State Fair are always popular with children. The animal displays include dairy goats, poultry, pigeons, rabbits, dairy cattle, mules and jacks, sheep, swine and beef cattle, a draft horse pull and a miniature horse show. In addition to the farm animals, the fair also has a Tiger Show by Bruno Blaszak that includes the world's only tight-rope walking tiger. There's also an Alligator show, a show with championship trick dogs, and a cowboy show with "doggies of the wild west".

In addition to stage performances by magicians, comedians and others, there are roaming comedians, jugglers, and acrobats. There is also a nine-foot tall robot that dances the electric slide, shows off hip hop moves, and does a "robo-boogie" while wandering amongst guests of the Kentucky State Fair.

A favorite amongst Louisvillians, The Ugly Lamp Contest is presented by local restaurant Lynn's Paradise Cafe. The contest is for the ugliest lamp and in years past has seen lamps made of all sorts of things including boots with fishing lures hanging off of them.

There is also a talent contest sponsored by the Coca Cola bottling company of Louisville, and a Kentucky State Fair Cheer and Dance competition. In addition to these competitions and others, there is also a "Little Miss and Mr. Kentucky County Fairs" Pageant.

There are plenty of food and beverage tents as well with many different types of food, drinks, entertainment and live music. The tents have different themes such as tropical, country, western, or a lawn party. Every year there is a karaoke contest in Mike Linnings' tent as well as other audience participation contests.

There is plenty for kids to do at the Kentucky State Fair. There is a stage of entertainment just for kids called the "Kidz Biz Stage". There are magicians, musicians, and comedians, which perform for children daily. There is also an array of completely interactive displays and workshops.

The Kentucky State Fair tickets run from $2 for seniors and children under twelve to $5 for adults if purchased in advance or $3 - $7 after August 15. Parking is $5. Tickets can be bought in the checkout lanes of all Krogers in Kentucky and Southern Indiana from July 1 through August 15.