FRANKFORT, Ky. – A record-breaking amount of nearly $750,000 was recently awarded to nine Kentucky county fair boards from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) for new construction and renovation projects.

“County fairs lie at the core of our agricultural communities. These grants will allow county fair boards to enrich the fair experience for both their communities and agricultural partners,” Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “This is a record-setting year for grant awards.”

Barren County was one of the counties to receive a grant from KDA in November. Barren County will receive $100,000 for renovations. The Barren County Fair will use the money for a speaker system, LED signs, a walk-in freezer and cooler, an ice machine and building construction.

Barren County Fair manager William Myatt said the listed uses for the money was, in essence, their “wish list.”

“We’re grateful that we were chosen and we think we’re a worthy fair that has made so much progress over the years,” Myatt said. “We attract 9,000 through our gates each year and we’re limited at some of the things we’re able to do. This grant money will help us accomplish some of those things we need. We’re appreciative of the ones who have supported us. So, the more improvements we do to the fairgrounds the better place we can make it.”

The initial release from KDA stated that “any incorporated fair board in Kentucky” was eligible to apply to the State Aid to Local Agricultural Fairs Program. Grants range from $10,000 to $100,000 and cover 75 percent of the total costs with the local board providing the other 25 percent.

Each grant recipient would have to start 90 days from the date the project was awarded and must be completed within nine months.

Grants may be used for infrastructure or facility improvements, capital construction, or for the purchase of non-permanent tangible items such as bleachers or restaurant equipment.

The other counties that received funds were Anderson, Butler, Edmonson, Estill, Grayson, Fayette, Spencer and Union.

Anderson County Fair in Lawrenceburg, and home to the Lawrenceburg Horse Show, will receive $33,750 for paving around the horse arena and clubhouse.

The Butler County Fair in Morgantown, and host to the Green River Catfish Festival, was awarded $100,000 for site work for drainage and power distribution.

The Edmonson County Fair in Brownsville, was awarded $100,000 for a building renovation.

The Estill County Fair in Irvine will receive $81,966 for a new building, electric and water, building and parking lot excavation, an arena fence and drainage work.

The Grayson County Fair in Leitchfield will receive $96,960.80 for an electrical system for its midway and arena, as well as installation of waterline components.

The Fayette County Fair, also home to the Lexington Bluegrass Fair, will receive $36,375 for new electric throughout the fairgrounds.

Spencer County Fair in Taylorsville is set to receive $100,000 for renovations to the concession building and livestock barn.

The Union County Fair in Sturgis was granted $100,000 for bleachers, concrete and installation.

The Kentucky State Aid to Local Agricultural Fairs Program, or County Fair Program, began in 1962, created by an act of the Kentucky General Assembly. The program is designed to promote local agricultural fairs through grants of state funds. The commissioner of agriculture has charge of the Aid to Fairs Program and it is administered by the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Shows and Fairs.

The commissioner is advised on matters concerning administration of the program by the Kentucky Fair Council, a group composed of various government and agricultural leaders.

Grants made to local agricultural fairs through the program are calculated on a matching funds basis with each dollar of state funds being matched with funds from the local area. The amount of any grant is based on the amount spent by the local fair board in the four qualifying areas listed in the grant section.

In 2023, other Kentucky county fairs received help from this funding. With its $100,000, Bath County was able to demolish one building and erect a new barn while Cumberland County used its $82,500 for a building renovation.

Gallatin County put its $59,165 toward an arena, announcer stand, fencing, lighting and a speaker system, while Henry County fair officials updated the power distribution center, electric hook-ups and arena speakers.

With $75,000 from the KDA, Hopkins County demolished a livestock barn and erected a new one, as well as updated the electric in all other barns. Letcher County used $75,000 from KDA to construct new bleachers, a few sheds, some concrete and fencing.

County fairs receiving funding from KDA in 2022 included Adair, Bourbon, Marion, Christian and Whitley.