Kentucky State Fair seeks hundreds of temporary workers ahead of Aug. 20–30 event

Organizers for the Kentucky State Fair have started a hiring push for temporary jobs tied to the Aug. 20–30 fair at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, saying they are looking to fill hundreds of positions as event activities ramp up. The fair is in its 120th year, and staffing needs range from day-to-day operations during the public event to roles supporting setup and maintenance.

WAVE reports that the Kentucky State Fair said openings include gate attendants, event set-up, maintenance, guest services and other work needed to support daily operations. The fair stated that pay starts at $13.50 per hour, with no prior experience required for applicants.

The fair is offering two ways to apply: through an online application and through walk-in interviews scheduled for this week. WAVE reports that interviews will be held on Tuesday, July 7, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and again on Saturday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

For those attending in person, WAVE reports that interviewees should enter through Gate 4, park in Lot K, and go to the Broadbent Arena Employment Office. The fair also advised applicants to bring specific documentation, including a Social Security card, a photo ID, and bank routing and account numbers.

Organizers said applicants must be at least 18 years old and able to perform the job requirements, including standing for long periods indoors or outdoors and working around crowds during the fair. WAVE reports that the fair did not require experience but did emphasize the ability to meet the physical demands and the public-facing nature of the work.

With the fair’s dates now set for late August, the hiring timeline is designed to allow staff to be scheduled for event operations and preparation. Temporary workers typically play a role in crowd flow, customer assistance, and the steady movement of tasks across multiple venues during the busiest days.

Anyone seeking a position is expected to complete the interview process either in person during the scheduled window or through the online application described by the fair. Organizers did not provide in the report a deadline for applications beyond the interview dates, but the walk-ins are positioned as the near-term step for prospective workers who prefer a same-week interview.

If hired, temporary workers would be assigned to roles tied to the fair’s daily schedule and operational needs from Aug. 20 through Aug. 30, according to the categories described by the organizers. The fair’s ability to maintain adequate staffing is closely connected to gate coverage, guest services capacity, and safety-oriented crowd management during peak attendance periods.