Fair Plans when the Weather is Foul

If clouds and rain replace the sunny skies of Louisville during the Kentucky State Fair, don’t worry about your plans. The State Fair is always a fun trip in any type of weather with over 1.2 million square feet of indoor space jam-packed with Fair festivities. Check out the top 10 things to do at the Fair when it’s time to move indoors.

10. Stop, Shop and Sample
The hundreds of booths and vendors in the Commercial Exhibits in South Wing C will bring both surprise and joy to shopaholics and casual browsers alike. Visitors can spend hours shopping for everything from t-shirts and candles to antiques and homemade goods. And if out-of-towners decide they love our state enough to relocate, they can even buy a whole new house right inside the Fair! If money is tight, there is no need to worry, the commercial exhibitors are also generous with the free samples.

9. Rock Out While Staying In
Fairgoers will feel like they’re while visiting the outdoor entertainment tents where they can taste delicious foods while listening to good music. While the Q has offered good BBQ at the Fair for many years, it is now paired with new sponsor Miller Lite for the Miller Lite Brew and Q Tent on the West Lawn. Enjoy country music and grilled foods at the Sivori Country Music Tent in the South Wing Parking Lot. Fair fun-seekers can get in to the act at the Mike Linnig’s Tropical Tent with karaoke and audience participation contests. Also sample some of the chicken, fish and frozen drinks from Mike Linnig’s restaurant in the South Wing Parking Lot. At the Budweiser True Music Tent on the West Lawn bands will be rocking hard as the crowd chows down on a grilled selection from Associated Enterprises.

8. Hail to Heritage Hall
Seniors can enjoy non-stop, indoor fun because it’s always sunny in Heritage Hall. From morning cups of coffee and poetry contests to bingo and special contests, seniors won’t have to worry about weather dampening their plans. Admission to Senior Day sponsored by Humana, Aug. 25 will only cost those 55 and older two quarters. It doesn’t matter which day you join in the fun of Heritage Hall. Stop by on Heritage Hall on Aug. 22 for a “Homemade Surprise” potluck lunch or hop on down to the Nut’s-n-Honey Dance Club on Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. No matter the weather or the day, there’s always activities going on in Heritage Hall.

7. Say “Hay” to our Animals
A trip to the Fair isn’t complete without taking the family to visit our four-legged guests. The Representative Farm Animal Display can be viewed in the Broadbent Lobby Breezeway Aug. 20-30 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dairy Goats, Poultry, Pigeons and Rabbits will be in the Pavilion Aug. 20-23. Dairy Cattle can be seen in the West Wing from Aug. 20-24. Mules & Jacks will be in the stalls under Cardinal Stadium Aug. 20-27. Boer Goats can be seen in Broadbent Arena Aug. 21-22, 24-25. Sheep will be in the Pavilion Aug. 24-30. Beef Cattle can be seen in the West Wing Aug. 25-30. Swine will be in the Pavilion Aug. 25-30.

6. Blue Ribbons when the Sky is Gray
Support some of the youngest talent in the Bluegrass at the Little Miss & Mister Kentucky County Fairs Pageant, sponsored by DASANI Essence on Aug. 20. The contest will be in the South Wing B Conference Center in Room 104. Be entertained as teen performers compete in the Coca-Cola Talent Classic in South Wing B in rooms 103 and 104. The semi-finals are Aug. 22-23 with finals Aug. 29. See the most unique, strange and off-the-wall items at the Fair during the Ugly Lamp Contest, sponsored by Lynn’s Paradise Café. Judging begins Saturday, Aug. 22 on the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Blue Ribbon Stage. The lamps fit in one of three categories: “Born Ugly,” “Made Ugly” or “Ugly Leg Lamp,” inspired by “A Christmas Story.” They can be viewed everyday of the Fair in the South Wing B Lobby. Other contests include: “Something To Crow About” Rooster Crowing Contest, Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Gospel Quartet Contest and Kentucky Division Competition of the National Youth Storytelling Showcase.

5. Make a Date with the Bluegrass State
The best place to show off Kentucky is at the Fair, and from Kentucky Proud products to the Pride of the Counties and Main Street exhibits, the State Fair has it covered. Counties converge in the South Wing to show off their unique attributes, while fairgoers can take a stroll down Main Street to learn all about the Bluegrass culture through educational institutes and government agencies. The Educational Exhibits also boast the pride of the Bluegrass through two unique display areas. The “Lincoln to Luthiers” display, presented by the Kentucky Historical Society shows how Kentucky and the nation have been shaped by Abraham Lincoln and our military history. In the “Gallopalooza: Horses of Possibility City” exhibit, fairgoers can explore the painted fiberglass horses of Gallopalooza that show off the talent of local artists.

4. The Skinny on Mini-Fairgoers
When it rains, kids may not be able to flip and dip on midway rides, but they can get a kick out of all the kid-size festivities indoors. The Kidz Biz stage hosts favorite Looney Tunes characters, as well as Fairbear and Fairabear and includes daily performances by The Spoon Man and Kid’s Celebration. Displays by the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Department and the Louisville Metro Police Department will keep young children amazed. They are complete with emergency vehicles, boats and a pint-sized Safetytown, where young fairgoers can ride around a miniature city and learn the rules of the road. Children and teens can also gather in the North Lobby for an array of video games. The IGX Adrenaline Tour boasts 17 game ports and two 42” monitors for the ultimate in gaming experiences.

3. Rain or Shine, Enjoy Finger Lickin’ Treats
There’s nothing like enjoying a funnel cake in the hot summer sun. The powdered sugar covers all but two fingers holding your plate and the evidence of the hot, doughy treat lingers four hours on the corners of chapped lips. But even when the rain clouds come, the fair-favorite foods are still found indoors. At the Fairtown Food Court in South Wing C and other food vendors throughout the indoor facility, fairgoers can enjoy a feast from around the world. Vendors vary from Tidy Taco’s Mexican cuisine, and the Taste of Nawlins Cajun style, to the Golden Buddha’s Chinese fare, and Italian favorites at Hollywood Pizza to European flare at Murphy’s Café. Don’t worry about missing your favorite Fair specialties: elephant ears, deep fried Snickers, barbeque and snow cones. Your stomach won’t miss a thing with all the indoor food choices.

2. Cook Up Some Fun
Visiting the Kentucky Beef Producers’ Gourmet Garden stage in the South Wing A Lobby will whet fairgoers’ appetites when our professional chefs perform elaborate cooking demonstrations at various times every day of the Fair. Chefs from around the state will compete in the Cast-Iron Chef Competitions, presented by Royal Prestige Cookware, everyday at 1:30 p.m. on the Gourmet Garden stage. Amateur chefs will also compete in these challenges, Evan Williams® Bourbon Cooking Competition Friday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.; Ghirardelli® Chocolate Championship Sunday, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.; Hidden Valley® Dressing’s “Fresh Taste for the Family” Recipe Contest Monday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.; Pillsbury® Refrigerated Pie Crust’s Pie Baking Championship Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.; Fleischmann’s® Yeast “Bake for the Cure” Baking Contest Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.; The Great American SPAM® Championship Thursday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. and Kentucky Beef Cook-Off Contest Friday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.

1. Family Friendly Showtime
Fun family entertainment will take center stage, even when weather turns rainy. On the Kentucky State Fair Family Stage, outstanding performers, Bounce and Ooh-La-La and Kenya Safari Acrobats, will keep families smiling and amazed, while local talents will amuse fairgoers of all ages under the roof of South Wing C. For in-the-round performances of a different style, enjoy the brand new Performing Arts Showcase stage located in the North Lobby. Storytellers, musicians and dancers will entertain audiences as they make their way through over one-million square feet of indoor space.

Through the rain or sunshine, the Kentucky State Fair has plenty of activities for any type of fairgoer. The indoor activities aren’t just limited to our top ten list. Check out the main stage concerts or World’s Championship Horse Show in Freedom Hall at 8 p.m., nightly, except for the Taylor Swift concert on Sunday Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. Need an indoor activity for the mornings? There are plenty of free horse shows throughout the fair at 9 a.m. in Freedom Hall. The indoor fun never ends at the Kentucky State Fair.