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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Food, rides, competitions and educational experiences are right around the corner at the Kentucky State Fair Aug. 18-28 at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s display theme this year will be “Kentucky Department of Agriculture: Reaching All Kentuckians…Past, Present and Future.”
“The state fair has a tradition as a showplace for the best of Kentucky agriculture,” said Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer. “The Department’s theme and displays will show how we reach everyone in Kentucky every day.”
In the South Wing KDA’s Farm and Home Safety program will set up its grain bin safety display. The South Wing display will include exhibits of Ag Adventures: Kentucky, an educational and entertaining program for children that will start in Kentucky schools this fall, and the Smart-board, an interactive computer program where children can test their knowledge about agricultural topics. Other displays will include a farmers’ market, organic garden, crop display, Consumer and Environmental Protection center, and Animal Health and Animal Production area.
The Department’s West Hall display will include another Farm and Home Safety booth with the one-of-a-kind rollover tractor simulator, the bees and honey booth, and a Kentucky Proud booth. The KDA will provide a station that will allow farm owners to register their premises online as part of the process of establishing a nationwide animal identification program. The country ham display and judging will take place in the West Hall, and the popular chick hatchery will be in both the South and West halls. KDA’s Office of Consumer and Environmental Protection will staff booths highlighting the duties of the Food Distribution, Regulation and Inspection and Environmental Services divisions. Exhibits of hay, grain, tobacco, eggs, fruits and vegetables will be on display.
The fair will kick off Aug. 18 with the annual Commodity Breakfast, a salute to Kentucky’s farm commodity organizations that is sponsored by the Department. KDA also will sponsor a farmers’ market tent outside the West Hall.
Again this year Department staff will spray for mosquitoes, check health papers for all animals entered in livestock shows, work the livestock shows and inspect amusement rides for safety.
New at the state fair this year will be the Kaleidoscope Discovery Zone. This gigantic interactive learning center will be located in the South Wing. Featured topics will include Science of Tsunamis, a hands-on lab to learn about tsunamis; Project Global: Asia, where visitors can learn geography and see artifacts, demonstrations and performances; and Kentucky by the Book, which brings to life books written by authors from the state.
Headlining concerts will be Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson with Big and Rich, Alan Jackson and Hilary Duff.
The World’s Championship Horse Show will be held Aug. 21-27. More than 2,000 horses will compete for more than $1 million in awards. Special ticket information can be found on the state fair Web site.
Tickets for the Kentucky State Fair can be purchased on the Web at www.kystatefair.org, at the gate or at Kroger stores. Parking is $5 at the gate.For more information about the state fair, visit its Web site or call (502) 367-5002.
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