Kentucky State Fair 2015

The Kentucky State Fair is once again upon us.  Here you’ll find  a plethora of delicious heart attack inducing fried goodies, free nightly concerts, cute farm animals, a variety of sideshows, and of course Farmer Fred greeting you from high above.  We all hate the ridiculously long lines, the traffic jams, the overly expensive food and the heat.  But it’s so ingrained in our tradition that somehow August is not complete until we step foot into the madness that is the annual State Fair.

If you haven’t been yet, you still have 3 more days to visit.  Here’s a Cliff's Notes version of what you need to know

• Date and HoursMonday 8/20/2015 – Sunday 8/30/2015
  Gates open at 7 a.m. – Midnight
  
  Exhibits 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Sunday – Thursday)
  9 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Friday – Saturday)
  
  Midway RidesMonday – Thursday: 2 p.m. – Midnight
  Friday- Sunday: 12 p.m. - Midnight

• PricesAdult $10
  Child (6-12) $6
  Senior (55+) $6 (Only $1 on Senior Day)
  Infants & Toddlers (5 and under) Free
  Parking is $8 per vehicle per entry
  
• Great DealsThursday: $20-per-carload until 5 p.m.  Parking Included.
  
  Passengers on a TARC bus will pay a flat $5 Fair admission fee. Buses headed to the Fair will depart from the TARC stop at Fifth and Market streets every 60 – 70 minutes from 6:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. The last bus from the fairgrounds to downtown Louisville leaves at 11:58 p.m. daily.
  
  Free Parking at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium Friday 9/28/2015 – Sunday 9/30/2015.  The shuttle runs continuously, they go on a special route so you can bypass a lot of the traffic.
  
• Free concerts:List 
  All shows begin at 8 p.m. in Cardinal Stadium
  
  
• Midway Rides
  Midway wristbands are good ALL DAY, ANY ONE DAY and can be purchased in advanced or on-site during the Fair.
  
  Children (ages 12 and younger with maximum height of 56”) – $12 on-site
  
  Adults – $25 on-site purchase of wristband
  
• Food

Philly Cheese Steak Donut

Donut burger

• Philly Cheese Steak Donut Burger.  Fans of the donut burger, there’s a new addition this year for you to try.  This monstrosity is $12, which includes a beef patty and all the cheesy steak goodness that makes up the Philly cheese steak.  My verdict, skip it and grab the burger.
  
  Donut Burger. Sweet and savory, This $9 weirdo is worth a try and now a fair favorite
  
  Grab the pineapple swirl.  It’s my new favorite discovery.  It’s slightly sweet and so very refreshing.
  
  Get the funnel cake from the vendors near the rides.  It’s fluffier and larger.
  
  

  

  Corn on the cob

  Corn on the cob is my thing.  Get extra butter, dress it with lemon pepper and some paprika and it's bliss.
  
  Other new things to try this year: fried Derby pie and Hot Brown on a stick.

Enjoy!