Bluegrass Fair: Lady Houdini, live music, funnel cakes and the Python

Maggie Phelps
·4 min read

The 63rd annual Bluegrass Fair, also known as the largest county fair in Kentucky, is set to open June 6. The fair offers with a variety of attractions including rides, fried foods, carnival games, live music and magic performances.

Here are key Items not to be missed at the 2024 Bluegrass Fair.

Sign up for our LexGo Eat & Drink newsletters


The latest on food, dining and bourbon delivered right to your inbox for free. See what's happening in the world of bourbon, including buying, tasting tips and more on Tuesday. Stick around for the biggest restaurant news in Central Kentucky on Thursday. Sign up here.

New ‘extreme thrill’: Python Roller Coaster

Kissel Entertainment is providing thrill and kids rides to this year’s fair, as well as a variety of carnival games. The brand new Python Roller Coaster is making an appearance at this year’s fair, the only county fair in the state to host this ride. Rated as an “extreme thrill” ride featuring “sudden drops and hairpin turns,” according to the Kissel Entertainment website, it takes 6 coupons. Riders must be 52 inches alone, or 48 inches accompanied by an adult and weigh no more than 175 pounds to ride.

Ferris wheels glow at the Bluegrass Fair in Lexington, Kentucky.
Ferris wheels glow at the Bluegrass Fair in Lexington, Kentucky.

Lots of Mexican food

Michael De la Cruz, of Lexington, Ky., prepares Elotes with an ear of corn on a stick slathered in mayonnaise and topped with lime juice, cotija cheese and chili powder at Taqueria De La Cruz at the Lexington Lions Club’s Bluegrass Fair at Masterson Station Park in Lexington, Ky., Friday, June 11, 2021.
Michael De la Cruz, of Lexington, Ky., prepares Elotes with an ear of corn on a stick slathered in mayonnaise and topped with lime juice, cotija cheese and chili powder at Taqueria De La Cruz at the Lexington Lions Club’s Bluegrass Fair at Masterson Station Park in Lexington, Ky., Friday, June 11, 2021.

The fair offers a variety of cuisines, including the largest Hispanic food court of any outdoor event In the state.

“A visit to the Bluegrass Fair would not be complete without sampling a few favorites from South of the border,” according to the fair website. “From the ever-popular elote, to traditional tacos and tantalizing tortas and tamales and burritos that simply can’t be beat.”

A torta made with seasoned pork, mozzarella cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, avocado slices and served with a side of green sauce at Taqueria De La Cruz at the Lexington Lions Club’s Bluegrass Fair at Masterson Station Park in Lexington, Ky., Friday, June 11, 2021.
A torta made with seasoned pork, mozzarella cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, avocado slices and served with a side of green sauce at Taqueria De La Cruz at the Lexington Lions Club’s Bluegrass Fair at Masterson Station Park in Lexington, Ky., Friday, June 11, 2021.

Bluegrass Fair photographer and social media coordinator Rob Bolson said there will be several large restaurant-style booths set up offering some of the best Mexican food in the region to customers.

If you’re looking for more traditional fair food, deep-fried items will be available, including funnel cakes and turkey legs.

Sea Lion Splash Show

A returning favorite to the fair this year is the nightly Sea Lion Splash Show that even gives guests the opportunity to take a photo with a sea lion after each show for a fee. The featured sea lions are from California and South America that had been injured or beached.

“The performers do handstands and flips, balance balls, dance, smile and even teach kids how to recycle,” according to the Bluegrass Fair website.

Lady Houdini

Escape artist Kristen Johnson, who performs under the name “Lady Houdini,” performed at the Lion’s Club Bluegrass Fair July 14 to 28, 2016 in Masterson Station Park in Lexington, Ky. Here, she works to escape the water torture chamber, a feat she has accomplished more than 1,700 times.
Escape artist Kristen Johnson, who performs under the name “Lady Houdini,” performed at the Lion’s Club Bluegrass Fair July 14 to 28, 2016 in Masterson Station Park in Lexington, Ky. Here, she works to escape the water torture chamber, a feat she has accomplished more than 1,700 times.

The Lady Houdini show is “widely regarded as the world’s top female extreme escape artist,” according to the fair website and is set to make a return to the fair this year.There are multiple evening show times on both weekdays and weekends. All show information and show time is available at thebluegrassfair.com/entertainment/#rocketman.

Live music at Fiesta Latina

Every night of the fair is filled with live Latin music. Each of the 11 nights features a different band or DJ.

The live music is free with the purchase of a general admission ticket.

The Lexington Lions’ Club Bluegrass Fair returns to Masterson Station Park.
The Lexington Lions’ Club Bluegrass Fair returns to Masterson Station Park.

Not just a fair, also a fundraiser

While the Lexington Lions Club Bluegrass Fair is an opportunity for fun, it also serves as an annual fundraiser.

“The net proceeds from the fair are distributed back into the community to various groups and organizations focused on vision and hearing assistance and other needs,” Bolson said.

Over the past decade, the Lexington Lions club has been able to donate more than $4 million to their charitable causes through the Bluegrass Fair.

Bluegrass Fair

Kids on the swings at the Bluegrass Fair in 2017.
Kids on the swings at the Bluegrass Fair in 2017.

When: June 6-16

Where: Masterson Station Park, 3051 Leestown Rd. Free parking.

Hours: Monday-Friday, gates open at 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, gates open at 3 p.m..

Tickets: $8 general admission for ages 7 and up, cash only Children 6 and younger get in free. General admission gives access to three shows including the Lady Houdini, Sea Lion Splash Show and the Racing Pigs Show.

Rides: Individual ride tickets are $1.50 a piece. Wristbands for unlimited are $30 Sunday-Thursday, $35 on Friday and Saturday, not including fair admission. While general admission tickets are cash only, wristbands can be purchased with cash, card or tap pay at any ticket both.

Online: thebluegrassfair.com/

New Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, sandwich restaurant coming to Lexington

Popular Lexington live music event mysteriously canceled. But why? Here’s what we know.

Lexington neighborhood grocery making a comeback, brings back popular lunch sandwiches

Popular pizza restaurant lost to COVID pandemic is back in Lexington as food truck

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next