LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky State Fair has begun. Every year, hundreds of thousand Kentuckians come to the Exposition Center to enjoy food, thrill rides, arts and crafts and animals. 

The 119th Kentucky State Fair kicked off Thursday. David Neville from Capstone Farms is ready for the fun to begin.

“I love beef, I love pork, I love fish and all the rest of country ham. And all the honey they got and all the biscuits and all that stuff,” said Neville. 

He’s in luck. Thursday began with the annual Commodity Breakfast. Every year Kentucky leaders gather to serve breakfast and kick off the 11-day event.

“I’m going to eat a little bit of everything, and I might go back for seconds,”  said Neville. 

The state fair will welcome close to 600,000 attendees and, when combined with the Kentucky Horse Show, create a $13.5 million economic impact.

“We have one of the longest running fairs, even found a way to stay open during the pandemic, for the most important parts. And we do this better than just about anybody else,” declared Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky. “Tourism is a $12 billon industry in Kentucky. Agriculture is an even larger driver of our economy. We understand farming and we understand hospitality, and we put them all together along with some good rides and some great food during this state fair.”

Neville is happy everyone can come together to celebrate Kentucky with good food, good people and a good time.

“This is a way for all people of all parties of any shape or sort, whatever you look like, whatever you profess. To come together and let us all be friends of agriculture,” said Neville. 

The Kentucky State Fair runs until Aug. 27. Tickets can be bought online or at the door.