LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The 2024 Kentucky State Fair wrapped up on Sunday, marking an end to the 11-day summer tradition in Louisville.

Thousands of people visited the fair on Sunday for one final chance to enjoy the festivities. Everyone had a different reason to visit the fair on the last day.

"Eat. I came to eat my way through it, I haven't rode anything, I haven't looked at anything," said Bobbie Lester, a Louisville resident.

Lester has visited the state fair for more than 30 years. She ranked the turkey leg as her favorite food, followed by candied apples, sausage and corn.

"These vendors work hard, I'm out to support the fair," Lester said. "It's a good experience for families to have, especially on the last day."

The state fair officials expected to host more than a half million people this year, but official attendance numbers haven't been determined yet. The 120th fair had several days of record-breaking attendance from Sunday, Aug. 18 through Thursday, Aug. 22, according to fair officials.

"The Kentucky State Fair is special each year, but this year had an extra special energy about it," David S. Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues, said in a news release. "Between the crowds, exhibits, and tens of thousands of entries at the fair, we again saw participation from all 120 counties, which reflects our mission of ensuring the fair is a statewide celebration."

IMAGES | Kentucky State Fair filled with fun, food and entertainment in Louisville

The fair showcased attractions, recreational activities and items from across the state at the Pride of Counties exhibit. The exhibit featured 105 counties, nearly twice as many compared to last year. 

For the Zimmer family, who moved to Louisville from Los Angeles several years ago, their first visit to the fair was a chance to spend time together.

"It's awesome, it's a great place to take your kids," David Zimmer said. 

Ian Cox, a spokesperson for Kentucky Venues, said the fair had record-breaking crowds during promotional days like $5 admission last Monday, Senior Day on Tuesday and a sensory-friendly day at the midway on Wednesday.

"These past 11 days have been a fantastic display of Kentucky pride," said Ian Cox, a spokesperson for Kentucky Venues. " It's our time to get it right and bring all 120 counties together. Everyone has gotten to see something new and interesting."

There were more than 15,000 entries in the general exhibits, while livestock competitors had more than 9,650 entries this year. 

The 121st World's Championship Horse Show had 236 classes for World's Champion titles and more than $1.5 million in awards. "Midd's Delaney," a mare owned by Shelbyville's Christine Broder that was ridden and trained by Tiffany Wheeler was crowned the 2024 Five-Gaited World's Grand Champion.

While the fair was going on, a massive expansion and renovation to the Kentucky Exposition Center was announced. The initial construction, scheduled to begin in 2025, will involve Phases I and II of the project, a $393 million investment in a new multi-purpose building as well as the redevelopment of many of the expo center's key existing spaces.

The Kentucky General Assembly approved $180 million in its two-year spending plan in April 2022 for the expo center's four-year renovation plan. The expansion is intended to modernize and enlarge Louisville's largest event space. 

Little Bird Hernandez brought his family to the state fair on Sunday. He hasn't been to the fair for a decade, so it was the first time he brought his daughter. Hernandez wanted to start a tradition with his family.

"It's an absolute beautiful state and there are wonderful things happening here," Hernandez said. "It's a really profound feeling to start something like this, you want all the best memories incorporated."

To learn more about the Kentucky State Fair, click here. 

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