8 things you can only find at the Kentucky State Fair

The Kentucky State Fair has been held in Louisville since 1907 and draws nearly 600,000 people to the Kentucky Exposition Center each year in August. While our fair has all the fair necessities — funnel cakes, corndogs, live music, and blue ribbon competitions — here are a few things you’ll only find at the Kentucky State Fair.

Country Ham Awards

Perhaps the most unique tradition of the Kentucky State Fair is the annual Country Ham Awards and auction, a tradition since 1964. The Grand Champion Ham is auctioned off every year during the Kentucky Farm Bureau Country Ham Breakfast and Charity Auction for millions of dollars. Last year, the champion ham sold for $10.5 million.

Check out the display of Blue Ribbon country hams — judged based on appearance, aroma, and taste — inside the West Hall.

Deep-fried Derby Pie

The most iconic Kentucky pie can’t resist the deep fryers at the state fair. Scoops of this chocolate and nut pie are battered and fried, then topped with powdered sugar. The dessert comes in threes, so it's perfect for sharing. Find it at Sivori Funnel Cakes outside of Thrill Ville.

Pawpaws

Also known as the Kentucky banana, this tropical-like fruit only grows in the eastern part of the U.S. and can be found in every county of Kentucky. Pawpaw trees are the largest edible fruit native to North America, and you can see the winners of the “Best Plate Pawpaws” competition in the West Hall at the state fair.

Bourbon barrel crafts

New this year, the reclaimed Bourbon barrel woodworking competition pays homage to our Bourbon heritage. See a rocking chair made of staves and artistic Bourbon barrel heads on show in the East Hall.

Modjeskas

The Louisville-invented confection makes an appearance at the state fair with a twist. In addition to the traditional caramel-covered marshmallow, The Sweet Shoppe adds a layer of white chocolate fudge. Pick some up from its booth in the West Hall — across from the Blue Ribbon country ham display.

Tobacco

Kentucky is one of two states that grow the most tobacco in the U.S., so it's no wonder the Kentucky State Fair has an entire room dedicated to it. On display in the West Hall, you can view all kinds of tobacco — green-stage, potted, and dried.

Bourbon ice cream

Made onsite the old fashioned way using a John Deere ice cream machine, Newton’s Homemade Ice Cream churns up many flavors, including “Good Mood,” a bourbon, coffee, and chocolate chip ice cream that certainly is a two-scoop taste of Bourbon Country.

World's Championship Horse Show

Held in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair, the world’s most prestigious horse show brings together American Saddlebreds, Hackney ponies, and road horses to compete in different divisions for championship titles. Celebrities like William Shatner have even competed in the past.