Louisville, KY

“Photo courtesy of the Kentucky State Fair Board.”
August 19, 2006 - This “born ugly” creation from Bill and Dianna Thorn was crowned ugliest of the uglies at the Ugly Lamp Contest presented by Lynn’s Paradise Cafe. It, and its fairly hideous rivals, will be on display during the Fair.

One of the best things about any state fair is the opportunity to see that state’s best food, crafts, and hobbies. State fairs give local citizen the opportunity to display their favorite pastime and possible even earn a prize. There are twenty-nine departments and thousands of categories to compete in at the 2007 Kentucky State Fair. Most competitions cost $8 to enter and are free for senior citizens.

The deadline for entering has passed for this year but there is plenty of time to see all of this season’s exhibitions and winners. Most of the non-live stock exhibitions are also in the air-conditioning wings so it’s a great way to take a break from the August heat. Exhibits are open from 9am to 10pm.

Competitive Departments and exhibit location include the following…
Antiques- E. Hall
Beef Cattle-
Bees & Honey- W. Hall
Boer Goats-
Culinary- E. Hall
Dairy Cattle- W. Wing
Diary Goats- Pavilion
Diary Products- W. Hall
Egg Show- W. Hall
FFA- W. Hall
Field Seed & Grain- W. Hall
Fine Arts & Crafts- S. Wing A
Fruit & Nuts- W. Hall
4-H- W. Hall
Hobbies- E. Hall
Homebrew Beer- E. Hall
Homemade Wine- E. Hall
Kentucky Country Ham- W. Hall
Mules & Jacks- Stalls under Cardinal Stadium
Pigeons- Pavilion
Plants & Flowers- S. Wing A
Poultry- Pavilion
Rabbits- Pavilion
Sheep
Swine
Textiles- E. Hall
Tobacco – W. Hall
Tropical & Native Fish- S. Wing A
Vegetables & Melons- W. Hall

New competitions
Antiques: Kentucky Black History Memorabilia
Culinary: Pretzels, Toffee and Dried Apple Stack Cake
Homemade Wine: Merlot and Grape/Non-Grape Blends
Hobbies: Scrapbook Page Depicting a Birthday Party and Scrapbook Page Depicting a
Wedding

The Kentucky State Fair opens on this Thursday and runs until the 26th of August. The gates open at 7am and there are activities until at least midnight on most days. Parking is $5 per vehicle, and tickets range from $3 for kids and seniors to $7 for adults.

So come out and see the best walking sticks, Christmas gourds, pickles, swine, and herbal cough drops and help to preserve some of our state’s traditions. The Ugly Lamp Contest presented by Lynn’s Paradise Café is one of my favorites.

What is you favorite exhibit at the Kentucky State Fair?

Kentucky State Fair, Crafts, Hobbies, Competitive Exhibits, Livestock, 4-H, FFA