South Central Business Association

KY State Fair 2001

Nov 19, 2001

2001 KENTUCKY STATE FAIR DRAWS HIGH ATTENDANCE

LOUISVILLE, KY (August 29, 2001)?…The 2001 Kentucky State Fair?’s preliminary attendance figures indicate that totals from this year are even with last year?’s numbers for the annual statewide celebration. This marks the eleventh consecutive year that the Fair has welcomed 650,000 or more visitors. Kentucky State Fair Board officials will announce this year?’s attendance after the final accounting from the advance discount ticket program is tallied and combined with the preliminary numbers.

?“We continue to strive to make each year?’s Fair the best. This year?’s lineup of both free and paid concerts was exceptionally strong,?” said Harold Workman, President & CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board. ?“The combination of the new exhibits and excellent weather also helped keep attendance figures strong.?”

The Kentucky State Fair also saw its 25 millionth visitor pass through the gates since moving to the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center in 1956. The exact person was unidentifiable because visitors simultaneously enter the Fair at multiple gates, but officials estimate that the 25 millionth visitor arrived early in the day on Sunday, August 19.

?“We are very proud of the outstanding quality of the Kentucky State Fair. Obviously we believe it to be the nation?’s best because it truly is a celebration of the history, heritage and culture of our Commonwealth,?” said Mary Ann Cronan, Chairman of the Kentucky State Fair Board.

For the fourth consecutive year, Jefferson County Public Schools opened prior to the Fair, creating larger crowds on the weekends and early evenings. The Kentucky State Fair, by agreement with the Kentucky Association of Fairs and Horse Shows, opens on the third Thursday of August. By that time, most of the state?’s 100-plus county fairs have been held and entries at the county level can compete at the State Fair.

Plans are already underway for the 2002 Kentucky State Fair, August 15-25.