The Shake Up

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky used the Kentucky State Fair as its platform to reveal the next generation of its bestselling Camry sedan. Crowds of people lined South Wing B of the Kentucky Exposition Center to see the redesigned car as the white curtain dropped.  

The new hybrid car, which was built by more than 7,000 Kentuckians in its flagship Georgetown, Ky plant, is slated to get 43 miles to the gallon in city driving.

The 2012 Camry features new sheet metal, a roomier interior, revised suspension and more powerful — and frugal — engines.The new hybrid is targeted at the popular Ford Fusion hybrid and new hybrids from Hyundai and Kia. Among the standard features on all Camrys for 2012 are 10 standard airbags, including a front-passenger knee airbag and rear-seat side airbags; stability and traction control, and a “smart stop” brake-override system. A blind-spot monitor and an emergency-call system are extra-cost options.

Toyota officials said that gasoline models on sale Oct. 3, gas-electric hybrid, Oct. 27. Toyota also plans to offer a variety of entertainment and multimedia systems, as well as a standard Bluetooth wireless connection and a USB port with full iPod integration. Options include a rear back-up camera, navigation, HD radio and satellite radio. Also, Toyota’s new Entune multimedia system enables smartphone users to access entertainment and information services through the car, including such Web-based apps as Pandora and OpenTable.

Toyota said it has sold more than 15 million Camrys worldwide since the midsize sedan was introduced in 1983. The Camry has been the best-selling car in the U.S. for the past nine years.

Though Toyota only showcased the hybrid model at the Fair, the seventh-generation Camry is being offered in four trim levels, including entry-level Camry L, midlevel LE, premium XLE and sporty SE, while the 2012 Camry Hybrid comes in LE and XLE grades.

 It’s about that time again. The pies will be tastier, the pumpkins will be bigger, the competition will be fiercer, and the bragging rights will be more extensive. August will bring hot weather and heated competition with the general entries contests at the Fair.

If you think your creation has what it takes to beat out the best in the state, get your clicking finger ready.  General entry deadline for all categories is Friday, July 1st, (except commercial wine) and all entries can be made online by visiting www.kystatefair.org and filling out our online entry form. Little did your great-grandmother know her prized antiques would one day be entered through an online writable PDF that can be e-mailed?

Antiques not your thing? Don’t you fret! With more classes for general entries than last year, everyone can find their niche! More than 30 departments of almost anything that can be baked, made, grown and sewn can be found in our premium book, also online as PDF. Late general entries will be accepted with a fee until Monday, July 11th.

Here’s a little rundown on some specific entry deadlines:

For Open and 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock as well as Pigeon and Poultry - July 11th.

Rabbit applications  - July 18th.

Late entries for open livestock, with a fee - July 25th.

Extra late open livestock, with a fee - August 5th.

Whew! Got all that?

If you are still not sure if you should enter, let our premium book convince you with the complete list of prizes in each category. However, the real reward lies in the satisfaction that comes with that royal blue satin piece of proof that you are, in fact, the champion.

The Kentucky State Fair…Stroking egos since 1902!

What does Louisiville’s biggest rock star have in common with Steve Jobs? If you guesssed hair style, you’re dead wrong. Actually, they don’t really have anything in common, except for the fact that is he a downloadable App for Apple iPod touches, iPads and iPhones.

In just a little more than a month, Rockin Ted has taken the App Store by storm, and strummed and head banged his way into the hearts and electronic devices of fans everywhere.

Rockin Ted was given his big break by Louisville App creation company, 32 Leap. While this animated interactive guitar player has yet to make it onto the Billboard Charts, he has already graced the Top Paid iPhone Entertainment Apps List, as well as securing an impressive 23rd place in the What’s Hot segment of iPhone Entertainment Apps! Rockin Ted has already been downloaded in 20 countries, making him a world famous rock icon.

Even with all the media attention, Rockin Ted hasn’t lost sight of what’s important, and that’s the music. Unlike other performers in his genre, you can see Rockin Ted perform for just a $0.99 download at the App Store. Or, see him at the Kentucky State Fair Battle of the Bands competition in August. We have yet to confirm we can lock him down for a performance, but his people tell us he is pretty excited about the opportunity, as he is a huge fan of the Fair…

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

What comes to mind when you hear the word “Kentucky?” The Bluegrass state. Winningest men’s basketball team in the history of college basketball. Home to the Kentucky Derby.

X-Factor and Glee?

No, we’re not crazy. These two shows have a very significant relevance to Kentucky. Let us explain.

Nicole Scherzinger may have been runner up in the 1996 Coca-Cola Talent Classic, but she’s proved that there is nothing second place about her with continued success in the entertainment industry. Former American Idol judge Simon Cowell recently revealed that Scherzinger will serve as co-host on TheX-Factor. The X-Factor, formally the UK’s largest talent search, is debuting in the U.S. this fall. Scherzinger made her debut with the group, the Pussycat Dolls performing hits like “Don’t Cha,” “When I Grow Up” and “Buttons” and has since released a solo album.

But Scherzinger may have to soon share the spotlight. McKynleigh Abraham, the second place sweepstakes winner in the 2010 Coca-Cola Talent Classic, has recently been chosen to be a contestant on Oxygen’s upcoming reality series, The Glee Project. This 10-episode series will feature 12 contenders vying for a chance to win a guest-starring role on the popular Fox show, Glee. Abraham was selected from a total of 40,000 who competed in the nationwide and online talent search.

The Coca-Cola Talent Classic is a highly competitive contest held annually in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair that allows young performers a chance at stardom. Talent categories include vocal, instrumental, dance and gymnastic performance. Contestants must place in a sanctioned preliminary competition before competing at the semi-finals and finals held during the State Fair.

This contest is paving the way for many talented Kentuckians looking to break into the competitive world of entertainment. Not to mention the $5,400 in cash awards that is up for grabs!

The Coca-Cola Talent Classic is open to 13-21 year olds. For complete contest guidelines and a list of preliminary locations, visit our website www.kystatefair.org

…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.

Foreword: My name is Ryne and I am addicted to musically-enhanced moments. Most of what I will write about stems from moments when music and life intertwine. I’m a sucker for music+video montages and I believe that music has the ability to move us.

In 2003, I was a junior in high school and I got my driver’s license. I know I’m showing my age, but it’s key to the story. And like any teenager knows, the music you play in the car is a direct correlation to the driver’s personality. We stuffed the sun visor CD case with as many discs that would fit and sped off during summer break nights, hosting our own sort of car-karaoke contest. Us guys would sing “Save the Day” by Train to our then-girlfriends and the girls would sing back “Calling All Angels” by Train. Both songs from their My Private Nation album.

Nine years, a wife (not my 2003 girlfriend) and a baby later, I heard “Save the Day” on an oldies radio station and laughed at the antics of my former high school self. The song and the band will continue linger as the perfect soundtrack to summer nights. Luckily for me, I get to make new memories of Train this summer as they co-headline the stage with Maroon 5 during the Kentucky State Fair.

The bands will perform together in Freedom Hall on Aug. 28, the final day of the 11-day event. Train leaped out of a three-year hiatus with its fifth studio album, Save Me San Francisco, which has become the biggest release of their 16-year career. The lead single “Hey Soul Sister” broke records and took over speakers everywhere to become the top selling track on iTunes in 2010. The hit song peaked at No. 1 in the United States and in 15 countries abroad and also garnered the 2011 Grammy Award for Pop Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals this February. Train’s second single “If It’s Love” also hit No. 1 last year, and their current single “Marry Me” continues to move up the charts. The trio is best known for their monster 2002 hit “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” that was nominated for five Grammy awards, winning two, including Best Rock Song.

Maroon 5 will co-headline the Main Stage Concert with Train performing hits from their third studio album, Hands All Over. The album produced their third No.1 hit with “Misery,” topping the charts in the fall of 2010. The band was part of the pregame festivities for Super Bowl XLV in February, performing “Never Gonna Leave This Bed,” the new single from the album. The band won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2005, and their biggest hits include “Won’t Go Home Without You,” “She Will Be Loved” and “Makes Me Wonder”.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on April 18 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, KFC Yum! Center and Kentucky International Convention Center Ticket Offices and all Ticketmaster outlets. Charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000, or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com.

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.

The Kentucky State Fair is many things to many people, but none more important than a celebration of Kentucky in all of its glory. The most popular of which is the general entries. The Fair’s contests, which garnered more than 50,000 entries last year, features a mix of generationally-passed recipes, family antiques, sewing skills and hundreds of animals.

The 2011 Kentucky State Fair competitive entry contest are open to pretty much anyone, as states the Premium Book. The 2011 Premium Book, or the be-all-end-all of entry catalogs, is now available online at http://www.kystatefair.org/entries/premiumBook.aspx.  If you requested a hard copy of the 2011 Premium Book, the books will be sent no later than May 1.  

Get your entries ready. And tell all of your family, friends and kinfolk to see your blue-ribbon winning pie at the Kentucky State Fair, Aug. 18-28.

Before you continue reading, we want to do a quick little exercise. First, close your eyes. What you can’t read this with your eyes closed? Now picture in your mind someone that is 106 years old. What kind of description comes to your mind?  Fresh?  New?  Current?  Original? Do those not sound accurate? For us, those are the adjectives that spring up when we think about the Kentucky State Fair. Turning the ripe old age of 106 this year, the Fair is ingrained with tradition, but that doesn’t mean that Freddy Farm Bureau doesn’t know how to get up from his seat at night, throw on some Silly Bandz and “get low” on the dance floor. In other words, we have a smorgasbord of new events, attractions and fun stuff for everyone in the family to do.

If you take pride in owning a “Swagger Wagon,” bring your ride and your crew down to the fairgrounds for some lively entertainment. Tiny tots will feel right at home watching Babaloo Music & Fun. This one-man musical comedy act knows exactly how to appeal to his audience with tunes like “My Toothbrush Fell in the Toilet” and “I Lost My Pants in the Swimming Pool.” Looking for some spell-binding action?  Check out Ridgeway and Johnson on the South Wing C Family Stage.  This magical married couple will be performing some bewitching illusions and death-defying escapes that could trump David Blaine standing on a pole in Times Square any day. 

While roaming around trying to decide between a deep-fried Oreo and a deep-fried Snickers (a decision more difficult than Lebron’s some might say,) you might stumble upon a man hanging upside-down in a straight jacket. Instead of sounding the alarm, watch Greg Frisbee juggle with his hands on fire, read audience member’s minds and even arrange them on dates. Break dancing crew Break Shop,will also be around defying the laws of gravity as they spin on their heads, making you wonder “How do they get their legs to move like that?”

Teens who have had their fill of break dancing and magical mayhem can head over to the YOUng Adult Project (YAP) Tent, sponsored by Ticketmaster. Catered for 14-20 year-olds, the YAP Tent offers this often over-looked age group a place to hang out and socialize. Rock out your best air guitar at the Battle of the Bands Competition, dance the Cupid Shuffle at the Friday Night Dance Parties or make your best Derek Zoolander face in the Ultimate Photo Booth, sponsored by Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.

And what would the Fair be without its exhibits?  When the August sun starts to sizzle, step inside our cool, air-conditioned halls and visit South Wing B, where you can quench your thirst (for a drink AND knowledge, get it?)  A Legacy of Place is perfect for history buffs and sports fans alike.  See how the Fair has grown from its humble roots, and if you have ever lost your voice screaming C-A-R-D-S, then you might want to be one of the first to get a sneak peek at the KFC Yum! Center.  From C-A-R-D-S to E-I-E-I-O, fairgoers can stop by Discovery Farm, sponsored by Kentucky Pork Producers, where city folk to see what life is like down on the farm.  Get an up close view (and whiff!) of goats, llamas, sheep, poultry, and lots of little piggies (that aren’t just on your toes.)

Now that you know all that is fresh at the Fair repeat our little exercise from the beginning. Close your eyes and picture in your mind yourself at the Kentucky State Fair. The words that should come to mind are enjoyable, amusing, and time-of-your-life.  So what if that last one is four words?