Mercer County Fair And Horseshow

06/10/2026

🎠👩‍🌾 🌟 FAIRGROUND FAME: HOMEGROWN LEADERS 🌟🚜🎟️

The Mercer County Fair & Horse Show has always been about more than livestock, ribbons, and rides. It’s about people. It’s about families. It’s about the next generation carrying on traditions that have helped make our fair what it is today.

Over the coming months, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the people who help make our fair special through our new Fairground Fame series. Our first category, Homegrown Leaders, recognizes Mercer County youth who are investing their time, talents, and hearts into agriculture, community service, and the future of our fair.

Today, we’re proud to introduce our very first Homegrown Leader, Tanner Ison!

At 17 years old, Tanner is a senior at Mercer County Senior High School and an active member of FFA. The son of Zack and Tiffany Ison, Tanner comes from a family deeply rooted in the Mercer County Fair tradition. His brother, Zane, showed pigs for 10 years, and his sister, Ashlynn, has been showing pigs for the past 7 years. Tanner himself has been involved with the fair for at least 12 years and even helped show dairy cattle as a novice.

When he’s not at the fair, Tanner enjoys playing soccer, farming, hunting, and showing pigs. Agriculture is a huge part of his life. He currently has eight show pigs as part of his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project and helps his dad with cattle, hay, corn, and soybean production.

His favorite fair event is the Pig Show, and one of his proudest accomplishments was winning Swine Showmanship in 2024. But beyond the ribbons and banners, Tanner says one of the biggest lessons he’s learned through the fair is responsibility, especially from working every night in the Investment in Youth concession stand.

Tanner believes it’s important for young people to be involved in community events because they learn teamwork, service, and community spirit while creating memories that last a lifetime. His own favorite fair memories come from spending time with friends while working concessions and being part of something bigger than himself.

Looking ahead, Tanner’s dream is to win the Kentucky State Fair Grand Champion Market Barrow, a goal that reflects the dedication and work ethic he brings to everything he does.

Thank you, Tanner, for helping carry on the legacy of the Mercer County Fair & Horse Show. The future of our fair is bright because of young leaders like you!

🎡 If you know a Mercer County youth who deserves to be recognized as a Homegrown Leader, we’d love to hear about them!

Nominate someone here:
https://forms.gle/Jei8QFsQv8HEcYcM7

05/28/2026

🎡✨ INTRODUCING: FAIRGROUND FAME ✨🎡
Because the Mercer County Fair & Horse Show isn’t just about events… it’s about the PEOPLE who make the magic happen year after year. ❤️🐴🌽🎠

Each day, we’ll be spotlighting the faces, stories, memories, businesses, volunteers, and youth that keep our fairgrounds full of tradition, heart, and hometown pride.

👇 Here’s what you can expect each week 👇

👑 Faces of the Fair
Celebrating past and present fair royalty, horse show champions, award winners, and familiar faces who have left their mark on the Mercer County Fair & Horse Show!

Blue Ribbon Backers
Shining a spotlight on the incredible businesses, organizations, and individuals whose sponsorships help make our events possible year after year.

🎡 Fair Family Fridays
Sharing your favorite fair memories, funny stories, traditions, photos, and the moments that make the fair feel like home. ❤️

🤝 Hometown Hands
Recognizing the hardworking volunteers behind the scenes who donate countless hours to help the fairgrounds, events, pageants, horse shows, and more come to life!

🌱 Homegrown Leaders
Highlighting Mercer County youth making a difference through agriculture, 4-H, FFA, livestock, volunteering, fair events, leadership, and preserving the roots of our fair tradition. 🐄🌽🐖

📣 KNOW SOMEONE WHO DESERVES TO BE FEATURED?
Nominate them for Fairground Fame here:
👉 https://forms.gle/jkb5NtH8hdFzBs8S8

We would love for you to nominate someone (or yourself) for one of our Fairground Fame posts! Please fill in the info below to nominate :) Please only nominate one at a time.

04/13/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17e2VpSsdT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

04/11/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1J98tQtVpX/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Just a few things before tonight’s derby!

1st
There is to be NOBODY behind the announcers stand side beside track workers, fire dept, ems, law enforcement and YNW Officials!!!!! This is coming straight from Mercer County Fairboard President!
2nd
All hoods must be off or open while getting inspected! No coming through tech saying I forgot my wrench or socket to undo my hood, you will not be inspected if your hood does not open!!!
3rd
Built cars, ABSOLUTELY NO KICKERS!!!
If you come through tech with kickers, you will load it up!!

Lastly, it’s the start of the season, don’t push the rules and let’s rock tonight!!!

YnW

04/10/2026

Tomorrow!! (Saturday, April 11) is our first Demolition Derby of the year and we are adding a Mod Mower Class with 100% payback! All of the info is on our page and we will post in the comments too! Come grab a 🍺 and some 🍔🌭 at the concessions for dinner! See you at The Fairgrounds!