The Shake Up

The Kentucky State Fair has always been synonymous with blue ribbons and award-winning entertainment. But topping its repertoire of things that draws more than 600,000 patrons each year is the unique cuisine specific to the Fair. Though the tradition of funnel cakes, BBW sandwiches and lemon shake-ups will continue, a new assortment of innovative and eclectic food items will be available this year.

Last year’s Krispy Kreme burger at the Kentucky State Fair caught everyone’s attention and is back by popular demand at the front of Freedom Hall. Its success has this year’s vendors and food connoisseurs looking for the “next big thing” in fair fare.

The deep-fried derby pie, a uniquely Kentucky confection, will make its debut this year. The traditional famous bourbon pie will be dipped in funnel cake batter and fried to perfection in the Sivori tent, located in the South Wing C Parking Lot. But, it is not the only addition to the Fair’s fried food group.

Fried Kool-Aid has been a topic of interest since creator “chicken” Charlie Boghosian introduced it to fairgoers at this year’s Sand Diego Fair, proving once again there is nothing you can’t deep-fry. Made on location, this unusual sensation is a combination of funnel cake batter and cherry Kool-Aid powder that dissolves as it is heated.

Curious Kentucky State Fairgoers can find deep-fired Kool-Aid at booths in both South Wing C and the South Wing parking lot. Eminence Elementary School principal and food entrepreneur Mike Doran said he expects a big return on his investment in additional equipment and staff he acquired to supply the treat.

“I think this is going to stick around,” Doran said. “I hope it becomes a staple like fried Twinkies and fried snickers.”

The odd concoction will share the spotlight with a few other unlikely desserts, including the Maple Bacon Sundae. The sundae is a bizarre combination of butter pecan ice-cream, maple syrup, and bacon that fans claim is worth a try. Anthony Allega, owner of Big Kahuna, said that the sundae has already been a big hit at several fairs this year. Allega will also offer frozen chocolate-dipped bananas, strawberries and cheesecake. 

Patrons simply looking for a balanced meal will also have a place to indulge. Vendors in South Wing C will be offering traditional breakfast foods, hot deli favorites and inner classics such as spaghetti and salad.

For a more formal experience, the Saddlebred Café offers find dining and gourmet desserts as well as a full-service bar serving soft drinks, coffee, wine, beer and cocktails.

The 107th Kentucky State Fair will be held August 18-28 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For more information and continued updates on the 2011 Kentucky State Fair, visit the official website at www.kystatefair.org.

Like your mom and dad always told you, there is a time and place for everything. We like mom and dad and we think that place is the South Wing during the Kentucky State Fair. There is something for everyone!

This year the past and present come together to entertain Kentucky State Fair patrons in the South Wing.

Travel back in time and celebrate the history of Kentucky with the United We Stand, Divided We Fall: Kentucky and the Civil War +150. This commemorative exhibit will host a living history encampment, featuring re-enactors from across the state. Artifacts and reproduction props as well as fairgoers own entries in the Civil War items general entries category will be on display. A floor map will serve as a visual representation chronicling highlights of the Civil War and Kentucky’s part in the historical event.

Adjacent to the Civil War exhibition, an original mini-musical recounting Kentucky’s compelling Civil War story, Kentucky’s Civil War Song: From Reveille to Tattoo, will be featured on the Blue Ribbon Stage. The musical will be performed by the Youth Performing Arts School.

In addition to the Civil War era history, the Fair brings together today’s sights, sounds and tastes of the Bluegrass state with the Kentucky Experience. First featured during the 2010 FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games, this exhibit showcases the nine tourism regions of Kentucky. From the lakes in the West to the mountains in the East, more than 160 graphic panels and over 1,000 photographs will allow visitors and natives alike to learn all there is to know about the Commonwealth.

The Family Stage returns to South Wing C but with exciting new acts!

“Comedy Imaginator” Eric Buss combines pogo sticks, wigs, frozen turkeys, dancing licorice, impaled rabbits, and 375 spring snakes into a non-stop ride of mischief and magical gadgetry that most people could never imagine. He not only imagined it, but has turned it into a show that has entertained and amazed audiences worldwide. His innovative and high energy brand of comedy has earned him some of the industry’s top awards and a reputation as one of the funniest acts working today.

The eye-catching cast of Handsome Little Devils pictured above will keep the good times rolling with “Squirm Burpee Circus” This exhilarating, fantastical adventure is one-of-a-kind and features classic Vaudeville comedy, high-skill circus acts and a plot rooted in American Melodrama. The show explodes with high-energy acts like The Human Cannon, The Ladder of Love and Chainsaw Juggling that will leave the audience chanting for more.

So trust us when we say mom and dad are always right, or at least in this case anyways! The 107th Kentucky State Fair will be held Aug. 18-28 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For more information and continued updates on the 2011 Kentucky State Fair, visit the official website at www.kystatefair.org.

My life has been anything but ordinary. At age 1, when most cubs are barely learning to fish, I had already obtained a full-time job in promotions as the official mascot of the Kentucky State Fair. (Yeah, that’s how I roll.) They named me Fairbear, rather unintimidating, I know. But like all other newborns I had no input on what people would call me for the rest of my life - so UNfair. Reluctantly I’ll admit, like the thick brown fur all over my body, it grew on me.

It was not a bad gig either. Imagine walking into your office or school each day and having everyone want to take their picture with you and give you hugs and high-fives. Trust me it’s so awesome I wish everyone could try it. I’m like a regular celebrity around these parts.

Like any privileged golden cub I got to do a lot of traveling in my younger days. I went from fair to fair across this great Bluegrass State. My job was the absolute pinnacle of fun: giving people free stuff (who doesn’t love freebies!) and recruiting people to come enjoy themselves at the Kentucky State Fair. Believe me when I say that recruiting people to eat fried food, ride amazing rides, and listen to awesome music is just as hard as it sounds. About as hard as a teddy bear.

I can’t believe that I turned 34 this year. My beautiful and loyal companion of 30 years, Fairabear, and I often find ourselves sitting on the edge of our den and wondering where the time has gone.

But being middle aged hasn’t slowed us down a bit! It is almost Fair time again, which means I am more than ready to strap that big blue ribbon to my big brown belly and hit the road with my best girl by my side.  I want to meet you as bad as you want to meet me so I had my people type up my summer schedule to share with all of you. If you can’t catch me at any of your local fairs, you will get the chance to see me in a coveted performance at the Kidz Biz stage at the Kentucky State Fair. Not to scratch my own back on a tree, but I am a pretty big deal, so get there early for photo ops. See you there!

Fairbear and Fairabears’ Summer Schedule:

June 3rd, 2011 – Muhlenberg County Fair

June 4th, 2011 – Boyle County Fair and Horse Show

June 5th, 2011 – Casey County Fair

June 8th, 2011 – Carlisle County Fair

June 9th, 2011 – St. Matthews Area Community Festival and Taylor County Fair

June 13th, 2011 – Clinton County Fair

June 14th, 2011 – Woodford County Fair

June 15th, 2011 – Murray-Calloway County Fair

June 16th, 2011- Green County Fair

June 18th, 2011- Bullitt County Fair

June 20th, 2011 – Gallatin County Fair

June 21st, 2011 – Garrard County

June 26th, 2011 - Lexington Legends Baseball Game at 5 p.m.

July 30th, 2011 - Bowling Green Hot Rods Baseball Game at 7 p.m.

August 9th, 2011 - Louisville Bats Baseball Game at 7 p.m.

*All dates subject to change

…these outside events are oh so delightful!

Now we know that the fair isn’t for another three months, but there are so many new things coming it will take us that long to fill you in!

The fair can be a little overwhelming with so many things to do and see and taste. We understand you may not know where to start. And in fact, when you arrive on the grounds, you may just simply be in a hurry to get indoors to the air conditioning. But not so fast, you may be passing by some exciting events outside…

New to the West Courtyard this year are The Nerveless Nocks who are among the most respected aerial stunt artists known today. Since 1954, their All-American Stunt and Thrill Show has been thrilling audiences. Their show features everything from motorcycle stunts to a variety of daring high-wire acts and graceful aerial acrobatics. Among their breathtaking performances are the Sensational Swaypoles, an unbelievable pole-to-pole exchange followed by a headfirst free-fall.

Across the pavement, stop by the South Wing Parking Lot to watch Sinbad and his crew in their quest to find the fabled Golden Pineapple. This slapstick comedy showcases amazing dives from three, five and 10 meter boards (or for those   non-metric loves approximately 10, 16 and 33 feet). The audience is along for the ride, as they dive for golden trinkets, repair the ship and rescue shipmates who have fallen overboard. But the real show stopper is a culminating plunge from an eight story high platform.

You don’t have to travel far to find the Walmart Gamecenter on Tour when it makes it’s only stop in Kentucky during the State Fair. Video game enthusiasts can check out all the latest games live in person as well as demo the hottest games before they are even released! This unit will also feature exciting tournaments, awesome giveaways and cool prizes. The tour will only be here August 18-21, so check it out before it’s gone.

And of course, fan favorite JUMP! The Ultimate Dog Show is returning to the South Wing parking lot to entertain patrons. The show features the amazing high flying dock jumping dogs, performing balancing and jumping acts in water.

So throw on some shades, grab a fan and toss back a lemonade slushy, it’s going to be an exciting State Fair!

Elvis. Reba. Shaq. Brangelina. (Okay so maybe that last one is a bit of a stretch).

What do all these people have in common? They don’t need a last name for you to know who they are. And yet I think it’s safe to say that there is no misconception about which stars I am referring to. Call it a silly indication of fame, but if I was suddenly known worldwide by just my first name and every time someone said “Kayla” everyone automatically assumed they were talking about me, I’d be pretty darn happy.

Lady A may not be one word, but everyone knows that it’s referring to the Grammy Award-winning trio who took the country music world by storm with the release of their self-titled debut album, Lady Antebellum. Hits like “I Run to You,” “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” and “Lookin’ For A Good Time” filled our airwaves and left us wondering who this new power trio was. In little time, Lady A was born.

Since 2008, Lady Antebellum has been pretty cozy at the top of the charts with three consecutive chart-topping singles and a total of eight weeks at No. 1 in just eight months. So what’s next for the trio?

On August 18, Lady Antebellum will open the Main Stage Concert Series at our very own Kentucky State Fair with their 2011 Need You Now Tour featuring country newcomer, Lee Brice.

Ticket prices are $40 and $50 and include admission to the fair.

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. beginning Monday, June 13, 2011 at the Freedom Hall, KFC Yum! Center and Kentucky International Convention Center Ticket Offices and all Ticketmaster outlets. You can get yours by calling 1-800-745-3000 or going online to www.ticketmaster.com.

Love may not live here anymore, but it looks like Lady Antebellum isn’t going anywhere, (okay, enough clever puns, I promise I’ll stop). “Just a Kiss,” their lead single off their third studio album, debuted at No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart this week, making history as the highest debut for a country group in the chart’s 52-year history! Now that’s impressive!

Be sure to catch Lady Antebellum, with special guest Lee Brice, at the 107th Kentucky State Fair. Visit our website www.kystatefair.org for more information.