LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky's summer tradition is back.

The Kentucky State Fair starts Thursday and people are getting excited. There's nearly 600,000 people expected to attend the fair this year.

Crews have been at the Expo Center in Louisville for the last several days setting up everything from the 48 rides to all the 25,000 entries from crafts to livestock to displays.

There are three new entertainment areas this year, including one for Ohio Valley Wrestling and there are more food vendors than previous years.

When it comes to food trucks, there will be some located by the main music stage, so people won't have to walk back toward the midway.

Getting to the Expo Center is the same, but if you're entering through gate 4, you will notice some changes.

A new roundabout is in place that will split the traffic into two directions depending on where you want to park.

For some, being accepted as an exhibitor at the fair is a big deal, especially for their first time.

"I had never envisioned that we would ever be here to exhibit the miniatures," Kaye Browning said. "I have come to this fair, not the Kentucky fair, but I have been coming to Freedom Hall ever since I was a young girl and to see the mass of this Expo Center is mind-boggling."

There are also special days.

Sunday is Military Day, active and veterans and their families get in for free. People can get admission for $5 on Monday, which includes parking and Tuesday is free for seniors 55 and over.

WDRB Day at the Fair is next Friday as well.

The 2024 Kentucky State Fair is Aug. 15-25 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org or find the fair on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

For a guide to the fair, click here.

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