LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two separate shows shaped the beginning of what is now the National Farm Machinery Show. The show is now in its 56th year. 

In 1963, the University of Kentucky sponsored an electricity demonstration and exhibit for farmers in Lexington. That show expanded to include more types of power including agricultural power. At the same time farming exhibits were among the most popular at the Kentucky State Fair. The fair hosted the Farm Implement Show which took up more than 30 acres of the fairgrounds. 

In February of 1965, a few hundred farmers, salesmen and crop experts gathered in the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center to start a farm show. That year, commodity prices were high, and farmers were experiencing record-high profits. The farm show then added an entertainment element four years later with the Championship Tractor Pull.

In 1969, the Championship Tractor Pull was the first major indoor event in Freedom Hall and attracted 66 tractors in three classes. Now, the nation’s oldest tractor pull continues to enjoy popularity.

Louisville’s location was attractive to farm equipment manufacturers and dealers from around the nation. The exhibitors found an organized show in a central location where they could display their agriculture products, services and equipment to an interested audience of professional and recreational farmers. The once-tiny farm show is now the nation’s largest indoor ag trade show and plans to host more than 300,000 attendees this year.

As the nation’s largest indoor farm show, the National Farm Machinery Show brings an estimated economic impact of $20.54 million to Louisville annually.