Western Kentucky State Fair runs June 20-28 in Hopkinsville

The fair is packed with attractions, including carnival rides, beauty pageants, all kinds of food, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, livestock competitions, a petting zoo, and home-good contests.

The 74th Western Kentucky State Fair — featuring carnival rides, beauty pageants, all kinds of food, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, 4-H and FFA livestock competitions, a petting zoo, and home-good contests — begins Friday, June 20, and runs through Saturday, June 28. 

General admission to the fairgrounds on Richard Street is $3. Military members with ID will be admitted for $1. Admission is free for children 2 and under. There is additional admission for some events, such as the demolition derby and tractor pulls. Those admission prices are listed in this schedule

The demolition derby is one of the most popular events at the Western Kentucky State Fair. (WKSF photo)

Before the official opening of the fair, there will be a “quiet carnival midway” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 19. This will be a special sensory-friendly time with “no flashing lights or loud music,” the fair website says. 

Here are highlights on schedule:

Friday, June 20

  • 5 p.m. — gates open
  • 6 p.m. — rides open ($25 armbands for unlimited rides)
  • 6 p.m. — petting zoo, livestock pavilion
  • 6 p.m. — draft horse and pony pulls, grandstand
  • 7 p.m. — Western dance night with Country Twang band, convention center

Saturday, June 21

  • 4 p.m. — gates open
  • 5 p.m. — rides open ($30 armbands for unlimited rides)
  • 5 p.m. — petting zoo
  • 5:30 p.m. — Ms./Mrs. WKSF Pageant, convention center
  • 6 p.m. — pedal pull competition, in front of convention center
  • 7 p.m. — demolition derby, grandstand
  • 7:30 p.m. — Miss WKSF Pageant, convention center

Sunday, June 22, Faith & Family Day

  • 1 p.m. — gates open (free admission 2-5 p.m. with a church bulletin
  • 3 p.m. — rides open (free rides 3-5 p.m. with church bulletin; $25 armbands)
  • 3 p.m. — antique tractor pulls
  • 6:30 p.m. — Faith & Family Night, convention center

Monday, June 22

  • 4:30 p.m. — gates open
  • 5 p.m. — rides open ($25 armbands for unlimited rides)
  • 7 p.m. — Ms. Plus Pageant, convention center
  • 7 p.m. — Arenacross racing, grandstand

Tuesday, June 24, Pennyrile Electric Day

(Free admission for Pennyrile Electric members until 6 p.m.)

  • 4:30 p.m. — gates open
  • 5 p.m. — rides open ($25 armbands for unlimited rides)
  • 6 p.m. — dance party with D.J Dan Hardin, convention center
  • 6 p.m. — 4-H/FFA rabbit and poultry shows, livestock pavilion
  • 7 p.m. — Go-kart races, grandstand

Wednesday, June 25

  • 4:30 p.m. — gates opne
  • 5 p.m. — rides open ($25 armbands for unlimited rides)
  • 6 p.m. — 4-H/FFA sheep show, livestock pavilion
  • 6 p.m. — pedal pull competition, in front of convention center
  • 7 p.m. — mini-outlaw pulls, grandstand
  • 7 p.m. — hot dog eating contest, convention center

Thursday, June 26, Christian County Farm Bureau Day

  • 4:30 p.m. — gates open
  • 5 p.m. — rides open ($25 armbands for unlimited rides)
  • 6 p.m. — Christian County Farm Bureau meeting, convention center
  • 6 p.m. — 4-H/FFA market goat show, livestock pavilion 
  • 7 p.m. — farm and altered-farm tractor & truck pulls, grandstand

Friday, June 27

  • 4:30 p.m. — gates open
  • 5 p.m. — rides open ($25 armbands for unlimited rides)
  • 7 p.m. — corn hole tournament, convention center
  • 7 p.m. — Mid-South Truck & Tractor Pulls,  grandstand

Saturday, June 28

  • 9 a.m. — 4-H/FFA swine show, livestock pavilion
  • 3 p.m. — gates open
  • 4 p.m. — rides open ($30 armbands for unlimited rides, 5 p.m. until close)
  • 4 p.m. — petting zoo
  • 6 p.m. — 4-H/FFA beef cattle show, livestock pavilion 
  • 7 p.m. — Mid-South Truck & Tractor Pulls, grandstand

Find a full schedule of events here.

Hoptown Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news outlet that is dedicated to providing fair, fact-based reporting for people who care about Hopkinsville, Kentucky. We believe that public service journalism serves the community's social, cultural and economic wellbeing by fostering knowledge, connection and meaning.