LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The weekend is upon us, and there are plenty of things to do and see across Kentuckiana.
Here are a selection of events, markets, concerts and more happening Friday, Aug. 22 to Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025.
Kentucky State Fair
Kentucky's favorite summer tradition is officially underway, and there's plenty of fun to be had for the whole family.
The 2025 Kentucky State Fair kicked off Thursday and runs through Aug. 24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org or find the fair on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
The fair has hundreds of activities scheduled during its 11-day run. You can plan ahead with the online daily schedule, available here.
Fair hours for this weekend:
- Gates
- Thursday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 24 - 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Barns
- Thursday, Aug. 14 to Saturday, Aug. 23 - 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 24 - 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Indoor exhibits
- Thursday, Aug. 14 to Saturday, Aug. 23 - 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 24 - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thrill Ville
- Thursday, Aug. 14 and Monday, Aug. 18 through Thursday, Aug. 21 - 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 15 and Friday, Aug. 22 - 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 16 and Saturday, Aug. 23 - 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 24 - 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Texas Roadhouse FREE Concert Series
- Thursday, August 21:Â Grand Funk Railroad with special guest Frankie Ballard
- Friday, August 22:Â Theory of a Deadman with special guest Wyld Ryde
- Saturday, August 23:Â Ole 60 with special guest Avery Anna
The fair concert series will end with Tribute in the Tents on the last day of the fair, Sunday, Aug. 24.
The concert area opens daily at 6:30 p.m. and concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Music is also scheduled for the full 10-day run of the fair in both the Big Tent, the Budweiser Tent, and the Hitching Post.Â
The BIG Tent will host Blacktop Rodeo, Corridor 64, Exit 105, Friday Night Special, Hank Rose Project, Hound Street Saints, Kentucky Blue, Leather and Lace, Naked Garden, Shotgun Serenade, Sound Decisions, Sound Machine, Throwback Thursday and ZZ-KC.
The Budweiser Tent will host The Bottle Trees, Dance Hall Hooligans, Hartshaker, Jeni Carr Trio, Les Masters Band, Lexie & The Chillbillies, The Mad Taxpayers, Most Wanted, No Compromise, Radiotronic, Red Thurzday, Roses & Rattlesnakes, Savannah Dean, Soul Circus, Soul Kitchen, Top Shelf and The Wilson Brothers.
The Hitching Post will host Journey to the Heart and Petty Theft. Zeno Jones will take the stage for a special performance Saturday, Aug. 23, during BEERFEST.
Free Health Screenings:
- Skin Cancer Screenings
- The Kentucky Cancer Program and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky are partnering to offer free skin cancer screenings to fair attendees for the full duration of the fair, from Aug. 14-24. Look for the booth in South Wing B.
- UofL Health screenings:Â Every day (Aug. 14-24)
- Mammogram Screenings, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Hands-only CPR demos, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Blood pressure screenings, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- UofL Health – Research, UofL School of Medicine; InBody composition scale screenings
- UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center resources and information; sign-ups for lung and colorectal cancer screenings
- UofL Health – Access Center – primary care provider sign ups
August 21: Stop the bleed demos and burn education
August 22: Brown Cancer Center offering head and neck cancer screenings
Minor Attendance Policy
Effective Monday-Thursday after 6 p.m. and Friday-Sunday all day, fairgoers under 18 years old entering the fair must be accompanied by a chaperone 21 years of age or older. Proof of age is required. IDs will be verified at the gate.
Each adult can only chaperone 6 minors at a time. Groups larger than 6 individuals under the age of 18 will require an additional chaperone for every 6 minors.
View the entire policy and other conditions for admission on the Fair policy page.Â
Purchase Tickets
Online ticket prices are currently $12 and include free parking. At participating Kroger locations, tickets are $9 through Aug. 13. Children 5-years-old and under are free.
Tickets are available here.
Thrill Ville Ride Wristbands on sale
All-day wristbands for Thrill Ville are available now for $30 in advance when purchased online or at a participating Kroger location through Aug. 13. That will increase to $35 Aug. 14. Wristbands will also cost $35 during the fair and include "at least" 50 rides, including the Ferris wheels.
World's Championship Horse Show
The world’s most prestigious horse show returns to Freedom Hall August 16-23.
The 121st event features more than 200 classes of Saddlebred horses and thousands of participants from around the country competing for over $1.5 million in prizes and World’s Champion titles.
Tickets are on sale now here.
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Beerfest
Samples of craft beers from around the state are on tap at the third annual Beerfest at the Kentucky State Fair.Â
Beerfest is for guests 21 and older with a valid ID, and an additional ticket is required. Tickets are $35 at the door with VIP and add-on options available. Tickets purchased online cost $30, and, this year, the ticket includes admission to the fair and parking.Â
To purchase tickets online, click here.Â
State fair spokesperson Lexie Ratterman said there will be some new exciting new food choices on the menu this year.Â
"We have a new vendor coming in: Farm Boy, Farm Boy American Fair out of Danville," Ratterman said. "He's going to be bringing in an ostrich burger one day only. You'll have to check out our social media on which day that is, because they were still tossing up ideas on which day they want to bring that."
For those who like it hot, Ratterman said they're going to have a flaming hot Cheeto corn dog.
Beerfest runs from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Expo Center.Â
You can visit www.kystatefair.org for more information, or find the fair on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
Sellersburg Celebrates
The town of Sellersburg, Indiana, has had something to celebrate for more than 30 years:Â pride in their community.
Sellersburg Celebrates began in 1990 with a small group of community leaders looking to bring the community together.
The purpose of Sellersburg Celebrates is to provide fellowship and entertainment to Sellersburg residents and the surrounding communities through a safe and family friendly festival.
The celebration has grown over the past 30 years.
The free 3-day event has non-stop food, music, rides and more from Aug. 21-23.
You can expect homemade jellies & jams, custom made crafts, handmade jewelry, local honey, fresh cut flowers, car show and more.
The annual parade canceled for this year due to construction with lane and road closures.
To learn more about Sellersburg Celebrates, click here.
National Dog Day Bash
Louisville dog park bar Club K9 will celebrate National Dog Day this weekend with festivities for humans and their four-legged friends.
Its hosting a National Dog Day Bash from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at its location on Taylorsville Road in Louisville.Â
Activities include a cornhole tournament and basket raffles benefitting the Kentucky Humane Society.Â
KHS will be on hand with adoptable dogs. Any dog adopted through KHS that day will get a free one-year membership to Club K9.
There will also be vendors on hand, including: Twin Shepherds & Co., Cherish'd Treasures, BBT CANEnine Bakery, K9 to 5, Bug and Bank Crafts, Kentuckiana Crafts, M & M Hat and Tee Designs, Got 2 Petsit, Micky's House Dog Training, Roo's Holistic Pet Supplies and Brown Dog Biscuits.Â
Kabuki Hibachi & Sushi will have its food truck at the event as well.
Attendees have to be age 18 and older. Entry to the event is free. Dogs are also welcome, but must be fixed, and be up-to-date on rabies, distemper and bordetella vaccines. Documentation of the vaccines must be sent to Club K9 ahead of time by emailing Clubk9louisville@gmail.com.Â
The cornhole tournament costs $20 per player, which will be collected in person at the event. The tournament is a blind draw style tournament. That means solo players will have their partner determined at sign-ups. Guests are also welcome to bring their own bags.
To learn more about the event, click here.
These are just a handful of events scheduled for this weekend. Click here to look at what else is happening across Kentuckiana this weekend.
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