The People Behind the Fair

Published on: August 22, 2024

There are hundreds of people who work hard year-round to make sure the Kentucky State Fair is as spectacular as it can be. They spend countless hours planning, preparing, and executing the event. However, once the event starts, it’s not all work and no play. The staff at the fair make sure to partake in their annual fair-time favorites. Here are some insider favorites:

-DeeDee Hudson (Administrative Specialist): “I have to see Freddie and get a corn dog with a Lemonade Shakeup. The fair has not started until I do those.”

-Mike Fryman (Creative Director or as he likes to call himself “Grand Creative Wizard”): “Pineapple Whips!! It’s the only time and place you can find them throughout the year. I’ve never missed having at least one…or seven.”

-Melissa Cooper (Graphics Production Services Manager): “I have to have a corn dog, see the art entries, ride the scrambler and tilt-a-whirl, and hit up the Kizito Cookie booth. Annual regret includes sugar coma.”

-Ellen Benzing (General Counsel): “The fair is not the fair for me until I see the vegetable room/exhibit in the West Hall.”

-Stephanie Seber (Executive Advisor & KSF Historian): “Every single year, a pineapple whip is on my menu — a tasty treat that has an incredibly long history at the Ky State Fair, going back to 1932!”

-Shawn Hensler (Dept. of Public Safety Executive Director): “Simple, I have to have Newton’s Homemade Ice Cream.”

-Corinne Fetter (Expositions Director): “There are many things that would qualify to make it truly the KY State Fair in my mind, but if I had to pick just one, it would be watching the beef shows on the green shavings in Broadbent Arena. I grew up showing Simmental cattle and market steers in Broadbent at the KY State Fair throughout the 80s!”

-Lexie Ratterman (Communications Manager): “There’s just something about simply walking around at the fair and taking it all in. For me, there isn’t necessarily one thing I have to absolutely do or eat — just being there and surrounded by all the great people makes it the fair for me. The energy is electric.”

-Edward Browne (Asst. Director of Communications): “A hidden gem at the fair is the Cuban sandwich from outside the West Wing, but aside from food, taking a stroll through all the inside exhibits and watching the World’s Championship Horse Show makes the fair special for me.”

Posted in: News