198th Mercer County Fair And Horse Show Promises Classic Fun And New Thrills
The midway of the 2024 Mercer County Fair. (File image).
April Ellis
Herald Staff
The 198th edition of the Family Wealth Group Mercer County Fair and Horse Show, the longest continuously running fair of its kind in the United States, is set to return Friday, July 18, and run through Monday, July 28, with a packed schedule full of hometown tradition, exciting entertainment and family-friendly events including their first family night on Wednesday, July 23, with discounted pricing.
The official fair kicks off Monday, July 21, but pre-fair events start Friday night, July 18, with roaring engines at the motorsports track with a truck and tractor pull, sponsored by Lee’s Famous Recipe, beginning at 7 p.m. in what’s always a crowd-favorite event.
Saturday, July 19, starts with the dairy show at 10 a.m. in the livestock arena, before the action shifts back into high gear again at the motorsports track that evening at 7 p.m. for the demolition derby, sponsored by Family Wealth Group and CC Auto.
Sunday, July 20 serves as a quieter day as participants prepare for the week ahead, with 4-H Floral Hall early registration from 4 to 6 p.m.
Madisynn-Griffin, the 2024 Miss Mercer County Fair. (Image: Morgan Hicks).
Monday, July 21
Jacob and Jaycee Young said being together was the best part of the 2024 Mercer County Fair (File image).
Tuesday, July 22
The Harrodsburg Herald/Robert Moore
In 2024 Craig Yeast showed Floodgait at the Mercer County Fair and Horse Show. This year he will be showing his horse Show Me Banjo in the Amateur Roadster to Bike in his new riding colors black, purple and silver.
Wednesday July 23
Family Night on Wednesday, July 23, sponsored by Monticello Bank and CC Auto, will include the sheep show and the start of the horse show in the center ring, both beginning at 6:30 p.m. Floral hall remains open for public viewing, and the carnival rides continue nightly.
For the first time, this year’s fair board decided to host a family night with discounted admission. Admission will only cost $20 per six person car load for admission and ride bracelets (each person must have a seat belt and there will be additional admission for car loads over six people).
“We want families to be able to afford to come to the fair with their kids and enjoy the rides and see their friends and neighbors,” said Mercer Fair Board President LeMayne Ellis. “The whole point of the work that goes into the fair is so Mercer Countians can enjoy all the fair offers with their families.”
Ayden Dean was having fun with his plane at the 2024 Mercer County Fair (File image).
Thursday, July 24 & Friday, July 25
Aliya Wright and Kayla Snyder enjoyed the rides at the 2024 Mercer County Fair (File image).
Saturday, July 26
Saturday, July 26, dubbed Family Wealth Group Night, begins early with the academy horse show and swine show at 9 a.m., followed by the open youth rabbit show at noon and the goat show at 1 p.m.
That evening will feature Hall of Fame inductions, a grand horse show and an appearance by USWF Wrestling, a thrilling addition to the lineup, all before the carnival closes out its final night at midnight.
The fair’s final event is Monday, July 28, with the open beef show at 6 p.m. in the livestock arena.
Fairgoers can keep up with announcements, schedules, and weather updates by following the Mercer County Fair and Horse Show on Facebook or their new website mercerkyfair.com. For inquiries, call 859-605-2145.
Whether you’re there for the pageants, livestock, horse shows, motorsports, carnival rides or the homemade jams in the Floral Hall, the 198th Mercer County Fair and Horse Show offers something for everyone, a true celebration of Kentucky tradition and community spirit.
For more information, visit the fair website at mercercofair.com.
