The 119th Kentucky State Fair celebrated a successful year of bringing Kentuckians together, with all 120 counties represented, to enjoy 11 days of live entertainment, agriculture, animals, education, and more. The theme for this year’s event was “It’s Summer Summed Up,” as the fair is the place where Kentuckians can find all the best things of summer in one place at the very end of the season. “This year’s Kentucky State Fair summed up summer in every way possible,” said David S. Beck, President & CEO of Kentucky Venues. “We’re pleased to see participation from each of the Commonwealth’s 120 counties, who came together to celebrate the success and the progress made. We look forward to celebrating an unforgettable anniversary with everyone next year from August 15th through the 25th.” Still exhibit entries returned strong, increasing over 2022 numbers. There were over 16,130 entries, with categories ranging from quilts to miniatures to culinary and everything in between. Livestock competitors filled the West Wing, West Hall, and Pavilion with over 8,500 entries. FFA and 4-H participants contributed 8,450 entries, including an astounding 1,000 country hams displayed in Cloverville. There were more than 33,000 entries in total at this year’s fair. 120th World’s Championship Horse Show Recognizes World’s Grand Champions Held in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair, the World’s Championship Horse Show is recognized as the most prestigious Saddlebred show in the world. Two thousand horses competed in more than 250 classes for Grand Champion titles and $1.5 million in awards. A six-year-old stallion named “Epoque Kiss NKF,” owned by Double H LLC and trained by Burt Honaker of Wytheville, VA, was crowned the 2023 Five-Gaited World’s Grand Champion claiming the title for two consecutive years. Kentucky Exposition Foundation Celebrated the Future of Youth, Agriculture, Tourism and Economy Through record-breaking donations, the Kentucky Exposition Foundation invested in outreach, celebration, and growth of Kentucky’s agriculture. Championship Drive presented by Farm Credit Mid-America, The Sunshine Class, and added prize money to the five-gaited stake all recognized the Commonwealth’s leading heart and progress. The 6th annual Championship Drive presented by Farm Credit Mid-America at the Kentucky State Fair awarded a record-breaking $215,000 to participating youth livestock exhibitors. Thanks to donors of the Kentucky Exposition Foundation, donations were higher than ever before. In addition, the foundation invited first-time livestock competitors that have varying levels of accessibility needs to compete during the 2nd annual Sunshine Class. Record-Breaking Ham Sold For $10 Million For the third year in a row, it was a record-breaking auction at the 59th Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast Charity Auction hosted by Kentucky Farm Bureau when the Grand Champion Ham was auctioned off for $10 million to Central Bank and Kelly and Joe Craft. Community Celebration at the Forefront of the Fair JCPS Deal Day As Jefferson County Public Schools delayed the start of school, the Kentucky State Fair stepped up to offer parents and guardians the opportunity to bring two children to the fair’s opening day for free. More Kentuckians Welcomed […]
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