SOKY Fair opens with Community Night

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The SOKY Fair officially opened this week with its first-ever Community Night, drawing one of the largest opening-night crowds in the event’s history.

For the first time, the fair offered free admission to its first 200 guests, while general admission was reduced to $5 for the evening.

Organizers said a sponsorship from the Kentucky Lottery made it possible to lower admission prices by 75% for opening night, helping attract more families to the fairgrounds.

“Usually we don’t see these kinds of numbers until Friday or Saturday night toward the end of the week,” said Alex Marlin, vice president of the Southern Kentucky Fair Board.

Marlin said organizers hope the strong attendance continues throughout the remainder of the fair.

“The biggest thing is getting the word out that the fair is happening and the fair is in town,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll see even more people come out the rest of the week.”

The SOKY Fair continues through Saturday, with gates opening at 6 p.m. each evening.

Visitors can enjoy unlimited carnival rides, nightly track events, games and free pony rides on select nights, according to organizers.