FRANKFORT, Ky. — There are fewer than 4.5 million people living in Kentucky, and almost half are residing in three concentrated population areas of the state. The rest are living in predominantly rural locations.

It is the country kind of living that shines through in the local fairs that can be found from one end of the state to the other – and there are a lot of them. Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, approximately 100 to 105 have county fairs, with more than a million people attending each year, according to information from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA).

Chris Caudill, the county fair coordinator for KDA, said there is quite a bit of history connected to many of these fairs.

"The oldest fair is the Mercer County Fair and, I don’t have any documentation, but it has been mentioned to me it may be the oldest in the United States," said Caudill.

The Kentucky Tourism website also notes how old this particular fair is, stating: "The Mercer County Fair and Horse Show is billed as the oldest continuous fair and horse show in the nation (since 1828) and is considered one of the country’s top outdoor Saddlebred horse shows."

Many Kentucky county fairs include horse shows for varying breeds. The Kentucky Assoc. of Fairs and Horse Shows lists more than 40 such fair events that include equine shows.

The historic value of the fairs goes without saying, and there are several more of distinction that have been around for generations; most notably, the Germantown Fair at 161 years old, the Alexandria Fair at 159 years of age, the Shelby County Fair, which is 153 years old, and the Adair County Fair, 131.

Not only do these fairs have rich history, they provide a look at life in these rural places, bringing many people from many places back year after year. Caudill said for several fairs, especially those located near other tourist-type attractions such as lakes, people come from all over, including other states.

"You have tourists who specifically set up their vacations each summer so they can attend those fairs," he said. "It’s very unique that you will literally, at certain times, have more people from out of the state there because they set their schedule around (the fairs) each season."

One thing for fair visitors is whether they come from another state or across town, they become friends. Caudill said friendships develop over time at the fairs, something he sees at every one he attends. He also said local fairs provide a strong economic impact each year for their counties.

Caudill pointed out with some fairs lasting 5-7 days, there are many examples of how the county economies are impacted through lodging, restaurants and local business.

Of course, as with most fairs, agriculture plays a big role in the makeup of the events. "The fairs themselves traditionally began in agriculture," explained Caudill. "It was the driving force behind the fairs and, along with the horse shows, we still have seven fairs that have harness racing still going strong."

Above all, the fairs serve as family venues. Caudill said they bring families together to attend, participate and volunteer each year.

"The thing a lot of people don’t realize about these fairs is they are all volunteer," he said. "They aren’t making a dime from it and they’re doing it solely for their communities, to keep that gate open year after year."

For more information about Kentucky’s county fairs, go to www.kyagr.com/ marketing/county-fair-program.html