LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky State Fair is providing an inclusive space for people with sensory needs.  

What You Need To Know

  • Wednesday was Sensory Awareness Day at the Kentucky State Fair

  • For two hours, those with sensory issues were able to enjoy the fair

  • The event provided sensory bags with noise-reducing headphones, fidget tools, strobe reduction glasses, visual cue cards and other resources to reduce sensory overload

Nine-year-old Karsen Woolen was excited to ride “Cyborg.” He said he has been looking forward to this day for a long time. 

“You, like, go really fast and, like, you spin around,” he said as he described the ride.

Karsen and his brother live with autism. He said crowds and loud noises make him anxious. Karsen’s mom, Billie Graham, said her kids wouldn’t be able to attend the fair if it weren’t for Sensory Awareness Day. 

“There is no fair for us. If this wasn’t a day between the sounds and the lights. My youngest has epilepsy, so it’s just not possible or feasible for us,” Graham said.

Guests with sensory processing needs and their families now can experience “ThrillVille” for free with minimal sounds and lights for a couple of hours. 

Roughly a quarter of Americans live with a disability. 84% of those are living with an invisible disability like anxiety, autism, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders or dementia, according to Kulture City, which provides “sensory inclusive” initiatives to public spaces. 

Melanie West is the executive director of FEAT of Louisville, which works to educate and support individuals with autism and their families. 

“For a couple of hours, they’re able to come out, have, you know, noise-free. It’s a very calm, you know, other in other families get to meet other families and, you know, to build that, build those friendships in that partnership because they’re on the journey as well,” West said.

Micheal Waits was at the fair with his wife and children. His son, Everett, lives with Fragile X Syndrome which affects the 10-year-old’s sensory awareness and motor skills. Waits says the four of them don’t get to spend much time in public together. Inclusive events, like the special day at the fair, allow his family to make lasting memories.

“Because of some of his challenges with high anxiety and social interaction… can be a social kid, but he doesn’t like to be just because I’m done with it. This provides an opportunity for us to do something that we just don’t really get the opportunity to do as a family,” Waits said.

The event provided sensory bags with noise-reducing headphones, fidget tools, strobe reduction glasses, visual cue cards and other resources to reduce sensory overload. 

Kissel Entertainment partnered with the Kentucky State Fair, Home of the Innocents, The Kentucky Autism Training Center and FEAT to host Sensory Awareness Day. 

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