Kentucky State Fair President Commends Hopkins County Fair Board
HOPKINS COUNTY, Ky. (7/31/15) — President and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board Clifford "Rip" Rippetoe visited Hopkins County Fair Thursday, July 30.
Executive Director of the Ballard Center Dana Brown said it is really exciting to have the CEO of the State Fair Board here in Hopkins County.
Many local dignitaries were in attendance for the visit including 2015 Fair Board Members as well as Madisonville Police Chief Wade Williams, County Judge-Executive Donnie Carroll, Hopkins County Jailer Joe Blue, Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber President Lee Lingo, Hopkins County Attorney Byron Hobgood, and state Rep. Brent Yonts.
The group discussed the changes that have been made to the 2015 State Fair agenda, slate of events, concerts and ticket prices.
“You have done a great job here in Hopkins County and you are to be commended for your contributions,” said Rippetoe.
He also mentioned to the fair board what a great job they did with the adverse weather on Tuesday and with the postponement of events.
The 2015 Kentucky State Fair is set to begin Aug. 20 and run through Aug. 30. For information and a schedule of events, go to http://www.kystatefair.org.
In 1902, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a bill stating the provision of "an annual state fair for the exhibition of agricultural, mechanical, horticultural, dairy, forestry, poultry and livestock products, and is hereby created to be known as the Kentucky State Fair."
A governing body was needed to implement and maintain such an endeavor so, the Kentucky State Board of Agriculture took on the task from 1906 until 1938 when the decision was made to create a Kentucky State Fair Board. The board, comprised of governor appointments, elected members of university administrations, and pertinent associations, united prominent community leaders from around the state. Exceeding expectations, the Kentucky State Fair Board not only proved successful but continues to thrive as an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet- www.state.ky.us/fairbd.
Source: Tammy Holloway from SurfKY News