until the 141st Nebraska State Fair
August 27 - September 6, 2010
 
 
 
Grounds Acts & Attractions
Midway
Motorsports
Concerts & Shows
Contests
Festivals & Special Events
Displays & Exhibits
Interactive Education
Parades & Marching Bands
Presentations & Demonstrations
Agricultural displays & exhibits
Daily Calendar
 
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Grounds Acts & Attractions

 

1st Nebraska Volunteer Infantry

Kidz Zone

In April, 1861 Confederate soldiers fired the first shots of the American Civil War on Ft. Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. Shortly after this incident, President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to help fight in this rebellion. The call was heard all across the country, even in the fledgling territory of Nebraska. In June and July of 1861, companies were raised throughout the territory and surrounding states, and by August, the 1st Nebraska was marching off to war. The regiment fought in the famous battles of Ft. Donelson and Shiloh along with other minor engagements in Missouri and Arkansas. In October, 1863 the regiment was changed from infantry to cavalry, and was transferred to the frontier to battle the Plains Indians. The regiment was finally mustered out of service in 1866. By war's end, the Territory of Nebraska had offered more than one third of her eligible male population to the war, a ratio even greater than the Union's most populous states.

Today's 1st Nebraska Volunteer Infantry is a reenacting unit whose purpose and goal is to ensure that the memories of those Nebraskans who served in the Civil War will be remembered and honored. Members of the unit hail from Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. Through displays, living history, and battle reenactments the public is able to learn of the sacrifices that Nebraska made during this horrible conflict.

African Acrobats

Kidz Zone Stage & Bristol Windows Stage

Authentic African performers in an acrobatic show never seen in America. The show includes tumbling, contortion, dance, linking of arms, juggling, chair-balancing, audience participation and a lot more. This is also an educational show on the culture and geography of the Mapapa Acrobats from Kenya.

 

 

 

Ag Magic Show

Marketplace Stage

An ag-awareness entertainment show with kidsand parents not only helping in making the magic happen, but also testing their own agricultural knowledge. The majority of Americans go about their day not realizing that everything they touch, consume, and wear has a direct connection to agriculture and a farmer.

Joyce Rice's family has farmed for six generations but she also has an entertainment background. 

 

"Farmers and Ranchers are the most important producers in the world - - especially if you like to eat, wear clothes and live in a home."  Joyce is quick to add, "Everyone learns best while having fun and you'll have fun at the Ag Magic Show."

Amazing Rainforest Experience

Kidz Zone

The Amazing Rainforest Experience includes a large ongoing display throughout the day in addition to three daily stage performances. The Amazing Rainforest Experience takes guests to old Asian ruins where they are met by a beautiful princess who narrates the show from the back of an Appendix horse, demonstrating unique and superb equestrian skills. The ever changing cast of animals in this show is unique to each performance, including parrots, monkeys, lemurs, tigers, cougars, foxes, coati mundi, and our Asian Fishing cat. They all demonstrate their natural abilities and unique personalities, while their trainers share unique and interesting facts about them.

Brad Bodary

Strolling throughout the grounds

It's a statue, it's a mannequin, no it's Brad Bodary. Just when you think it can't be real, the statue in front of you eyes suddenly moves! Brad Bodary is a skilled street performer with a variety of characters.Watch for two of those characters, The Bronze Cowboy and The Human Mannequin at the 2010 Nebraska State Fair.

 

 

 

 

Budweiser Clydesdales

Marketplace

The Great American Tradition.
Majestic. Powerful. Graceful. They are the Budweiser Clydesdales. For over 75 years, they've embodied the Budweiser brand heritage, serving faithfully as ambassadors of the Great American Lager, and icons of American industry. Proudly Presented by H & H Distributing, Grand Island

 

 

 

Dancing Waters

Kidz Zone

Fountains run  every day from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m with daily shows on the hour throughout each day.

Evening water show featuring music and lights will be every night at 9:30 p.m.

View one of the most spectacular, world class water light and music shows. The show features a large 27-foot pool of water with fountains dancing to lights and music. Dancing Waters has been thrilling audiences of all ages for over three generations.

 

 

Hedrick's Educational Petting Zoo and Camel & Pony Rides

Kidz Zone

With over 40 years of show business experience, Hedrick's Petting Zoo offers a wide range of exotic animals: camels, cavy, zebu, donkey, pygmy goats, lama, kangaroo, zebra, and more! Hedrick's also offers camel and pony rides!

 

 

Hedrick's Racing Pigs Show

Kidz Zone

Professional pig callers animate the show as pigs clad in racing silks speed around the race track towards the finish line. As a member of the audience, be prepared to cheer on the pig that’s assigned to your audience section.

 

Pirates of the Caribbean High Dive Show

Kidz Zone

Watershow Productions, Inc. has been the leader in new and innovative high diving shows for over 20 years. Producer Dana Kunze began his high diving career at the age of 13. Since then, he has captured 8 World Championships, set and broke his own World Record for the highest dive 7 times and was featured on ABC Sports over 25 times.

 

Puddle Jumpers

Strolling throughout the grounds

One thing to watch for at the fair is the gentleman leading his family of geese across the fairgrounds!  That man is Paul “The Gooseman” Messerschmidt and the smartly dressed geese have been following Paul for years.  While recovering from an illness, his doctor told Paul to start walking.  The goslings he had on his farm did what baby geese will naturally do, and started following Paul on his walks through the western Iowa countryside.  Each goose has its own personality and story, which Paul stops to tell as he strolls around the fair several times each day.  They’re fascinating, funny, and just plain adorable in their wide variety of costumes.

 

Nebraska State Fair Stock Dog Trials

Ag Arena

Monday, August 30, 2010 and Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 12:00p.m.with finals at 7:00p.m. each night

The Nebraska State Fair stockdog trials are an exciting and fun event for the whole family!  They feature competitors from as far away as Oklahoma and South Dakota.  Each handler and dog team will be given a set amount of time to guide 3 head of unruly cattle or cagey sheep around a fast paced course consisting of gates, chutes, barrels and pens. The audience will have a great view from the air conditioned seats of the Livestock Arena and will be kept well informed and entertained by our announcer Trent Loos who will be talking with some of the handlers and announcing times for each run.

 

 

Stuhr Museum

Kidz Zone

All the fun of Stuhr Museum’s 1890’s Living History Railroad Town comes to the Nebraska State Fair. The museum that brings the story of Nebraska’s first towns to life feature dozens of hands-on, historical and artistic activities in the State Fair’s Kids Zone, including live blacksmithing, Native American beadwork, baking over an open fire, and much more. Special, hands-on presentations take place at 2 p.m. each day. Click here to learn more about Stuhr Museum.

Turbo The Robot

Strolling throughout the grounds

A 10' tall Galactic robot from outer space is visiting Earth to stroll the Fair. Turbo likes to talk with fair guests, spreading goodwil and love to young and old alike.

 

 

 

 

Vox Audio

Bristol Windows Stage and Kidz Zone Stage

If you love to laugh, while witnessing astonishing feats of vocal skill and dexterity, don't miss VOX AUDIO! This Off-Broadway Drama Desk Award-winning vocal troupe combines world-class harmony singing with unique vocal sound FX and clever comedic interactive audience participation to create a one-of-a-kind family-friendly entertainment experience!

Click here, for a video bio.

 

 

The Walking Tree Man

Strolling throughout the grounds

Cliff Spenger created the Walking TreeMan character to entertain and delight audiences world-wide with a live, walking tree.  The Walking Tree Man has been walking the planet from California to Times Square to Toyko to Inner Mongolia. Depending on the day, you may see a Maple or Apple tree moving around the Fairgrounds!

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nebraska State Fair   |   1043 South Locust Street   |   Grand Island, NE 68801   |    308-382-1620   |   Site Map
   
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