Kentucky State Fair begins in Louisville on Thursday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Kentucky State Fair returns this week to Louisville's Kentucky Expo Center.

The annual summer tradition filled with corn dogs, donut burgers, Midway rides, artwork and more starts on Thursday. The state fair showcasing Kentucky's best creations goes from Aug. 17-27.

Kentucky State Fair provides hours of entertainment for the whole family with hundreds of vendors, free concerts and dozens of daily activities. This year's theme is "Summer Summed Up."

IMAGES | Views from The Midway at the Kentucky State Fair

The fair will open at 10 a.m. daily, but different areas will close at different times. To check the schedule, hours are posted here on the Kentucky State Fair website. Also, the fair will continue to stop allowing entry an hour before it closes.

Special discounts and promotions are offered throughout the duration of the fair, including Military Sunday with free admission for active military and veterans, $5 Mondays, Senior Day, and more.

The annual concert series, which is free with fair admission, features Chris Janson and special guest Alex Miller on Aug. 17. Morris Day and the Time with special guest Tag Team perform on Aug. 18. Happy Together Tour will play on Aug. 22. According to a news release, more acts joining the lineup will be announced next week.

The fair is continuing a policy this year that requires anyone 18 and younger to be accompanied by a guardian at least 21-years-old after 6 p.m. daily. Officials say IDs will be checked at the gate.

Organized in 1816, the fair became the official state fair in 1902. It moved from city to city until 1907, when Louisville became its permanent home.

Kentucky State Fair tickets are available online, at participating Kroger stores or the Kentucky Exposition Center box office. To purchase tickets for the state fair online, click here.

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