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This year, watch for the 114th annual Kentucky State Fair to kick off on Thursday, August 17 and continue until Sunday, August 27, 2023 ... celebrating everything Kentucky!

First organized in 1816, the fair didn't become an official one until 1902 and, after traveling from city to city for several years, settled in Louisville where today the fair has found a permanent home at the mammoth 520-acre Kentucky Exposition Center.

As in past years, the fair's huge popularity is expected to draw some 600,000 visitors during its traditional two-week run in August.

The Kentucky State Fair features spectacular roller coaster rides and other amusement park attractions, along with lots of fried foods and regional specialties.

Sure, Kentucky is most famous for Kentucky fried chicken, Kentucky bourbon, and bluegrass music. But don't miss the opportunity to take in one of the fair's major attractions - the World Championship Horse Show - where 2,000 elite saddlebreds Kentucky and around the world compete for millions of dollars in prizes.


2023 Kentucky State Fair concert lineup

Music entertainment is another major draw high on the list of attractions at the Kentucky State Fair, with concerts given by major country stars in the past including Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Keith Urban, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Taylor Swift.

August 17-27 gates will open at 2:30 p.m and concerts usually begin at 8 p.m each night.

Up ahead, check out the complete 2023 Kentiucky State Fair lineup as part of the annual Texas Roadhouse concert series which is free with paid admission to the fair.

Thursday, August 17 at 8:00 PM - Chris Janson
Friday, August 18 at 8:00 PM - Morris Day and The Time
Saturday, August 19 at 8:00 PM - Foghat with special guest The Kentucky Headhunters 
Sunday, August 20 at 8:00 PM - The Oak Ridge Boys
Monday, August 21 at 8:00 PM -  Casting Crowns
Tuesday, August 22 at 8:00 PM - Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, The Vogues, The Classics IV, and The Cowsills
Wednesday, August 23 at 8:00 PM - Larry Fleet with special guest Tyler Rich 
Thursday, August 24 at 8:00 PM - Vince Neil
Friday, August 25 at 8:00 PM - Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry with special guest Lonestar 
Saturday, August 26 at 8:00 PM - Warren Zeiders

DID YOU KNOW? Kentucky State Fair fun facts

• Freddy Farm Bureau is a familiar face who has greeted visitors with his familiar "Howdy!" for over 60 years. At 13 feet long, Freddy remains a landmark for gatherings of fair goers who can often be heard saying, "Let's meet near Freddy!" Today, Freddy even has his own Facebook page.

• Rain? No problem. Kentucky State Fair ranks No. 1 as the nation’s largest indoor fair, with 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space featuring shows, exhibits and attractions.

• Dieters beware: One of the top sellers available at the Sivori kiosks is the 800-calorie Donut Burger.

• Each year during the fair's two week run, dozens of artists play more than 600 hours of music in entertainment tents, Cardinal Stadium and Freedom Hall.

• If you're browsing the concert schedule, you'll probably meet up with The Oakridge Boys who have appeared in the Kentucky State Fair concert lineup every year for the past four decades.

also see -> Christmas in Kentucky | Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Lakes & Beaches

More about the Kentucky State Fair around the Web:

2023 Kentucky State Fair - Check out the official site with the complete lineup of events and daily schedule, contest entry, ticket prices and parking, directions and maps, photos.

Kentucky State Fair - Wikipedia - Here's a good overview of the fair's history, as well as present day attractions with photos, related references and resources..