Video summary
The 2026 Kentucky State Fair in Louisville is currently underway, featuring one of the largest exhibits from Eastern Kentucky which aims to showcase the region's unique culture and talent. Representatives Misha Cornute and Brooke Lemons are present at the booth to highlight the extensive network of regional partners spanning from Ashland down to Letcher County and along the I-64 corridor to Mount Sterling. The atmosphere is vibrant with live performances by local acts like Laid Back Country Picker and Honey, emphasizing that music and the great outdoors are primary attractions for visitors who are eager to learn about the mountains and the diverse talent residing there.
A significant portion of the exhibit focuses on dispelling misconceptions about Eastern Kentucky by demonstrating its value as a destination rich in culture, scenery, and hospitality. The organizers explain that without active representation at state-wide events, people from Central and Western Kentucky might fail to realize how much there is to see and experience in the eastern part of the state. Visitors are encouraged to explore the mountain parkway to discover the myriad sights available, while many attendees stop by simply to hear the distinctive local accent or because they have relatives living in the area, fostering a sense of connection and pride for the region.
Beyond entertainment, the booth also serves an important community support function by providing information for families seeking help for children facing anxiety, ADHD, or behavioral challenges through Bluegrass Healing Partners. The presenters stress that success for local musicians often depends on being in the right place at the right time, yet they are committed to ensuring Eastern Kentucky is not overlooked. By sharing stories and experiences directly with visitors, the team hopes to change perceptions and invite more people to visit, proving that the region offers a welcoming environment filled with genuine hospitality and significant potential for growth.
The fair continues until August 30th, offering a final opportunity for the public to engage with Eastern Kentucky's contributions before the event concludes. Through this presence at the state fair, the community is actively working to ensure that the unique identity of the eastern region is recognized and appreciated by the entire state. The combination of live music, scenic storytelling, and direct community outreach creates a comprehensive experience that highlights why Eastern Kentucky deserves its place as a valuable and integral part of Kentucky's cultural landscape.
Read the full video transcript
Got Tyler here with me at the show.
How cool is that? Tyler's here with us.
>> The 2026 Kentucky State Fair is in full
swing right now, and Eastern Kentucky
has one of the largest exhibits. We
checked in with Misha Cornute and Brooke
Lemons to see how it's going.
>> Right now, we are at the Kentucky State
Fair in Louisville. Uh we're here.
>> In the Eastern Kentucky booth.
>> Yes. So, we're with a lot of regional
with our regional partners here, uh with
our Eastern Highlands North region.
So, pretty much everybody from Ashland
all the way down to Letcher County.
And then over to Mount Sterling along
the I-64 corridors. So, we have a lot of
partners here with us. And we've got
Laid Back Country Picker and Honey
performing in the background right now.
>> They said the music has been the main
attraction.
>> Music. The music, the outdoors is a big
thing. A lot of them want to know about
the mountains and the music and
how we have so much talent. You know,
they're like, "You've got Tyler and
Chris and Loretta." And you know, and
then they hear all these musicians that
we have here. And they want to know why
they've not made it big yet. And I'm
like, "It's about being in the right
place at the right time."
>> Need support for a child [music] facing
anxiety, ADHD, or behavior challenges?
Call Bluegrass [music] Healing Partners
at 606-653-2873.
Lemons and Cornute explained why it's
important for Eastern Kentucky to be
represented at events like this.
>> We need to have representation. I think
sometimes, you know, if it was just the
people here in Central and Western
Kentucky, they would not like realize
that we are
a valuable part of the state. And we
have value to come and visit us. That
there's so many things in the mountains.
And that you just keep on coming down
the mountain Parkway and there's so much
to see there. The music, the culture,
the mountains. You just don't want to
miss out on that.
>> idea where Eastern Kentucky is a lot of
times. So we get to show them on a map
where we are. We not only show them, we
let them hear, we let them see, we let
them experience great hospitality
because everyone here is so friendly.
And I'll tell you what, a lot of them
have relatives in Eastern Kentucky and
they'll stop by the booth and hear our
accent.
>> Yeah.
>> The fair goes until August 30th.
Reporting for Mountain Top News, I'm
Robin Tillman.