• Ag Family of the Day

  Presented by Nebraska Farm Bureau, five Nebraskan farm and ranch families are nominated, selected, and honored as the State Fair "Ag Family of the Day." The families will be selected from nominations submitted by fellow Nebraskans.

  Agriculture is Nebraska's number one industry. It creates one of every three Nebraska jobs in food processing, distribution, marketing, research, and other fields. We want to honor families who are the "faces" of the agricultural industry and showcase the great job they do in providing food for Nebraska, the nation, and the world.

  Five families have been chosen to be recognized at ceremonies on five weekend days during the Fair. Honorees receive complimentary State Fair gate admission, midway passes, a one-night stay in a Grand Island hotel, $100 cash, recognition at an awards program, a reception in their honor, and featured status in the daily parade.

  
  

  For more information about the program visit http://www.nebraskaagfamily.org/.
  

  Family Fun Activity Center Contests

• Kidz Zone

• The Nebraska State Fair Family Fun Tent offers something for everyone. Children of all ages and their families are invited to participate in numerous free family fun games, contests, and creative crafts EVERY day of the Fair! Games can include: water balloon toss, relays, Superball Saturdays, sponge run, eating contests, and more!

Family Fun Activity Center Scavenger Hunt

Winner - Taylor Stephens

Please click on the following links to see the daily schedules of activities:

Friday, August 26-The Good Life on a Stick

Saturday, August 27- Fun in the Sun

Sunday, August 28- Down on the Farm

Monday, August 29- Everyday Heroes

Tuesday, August 30-Bugs and Buds

Wednesday, August 31- Knight's Crusade

Thursday September 1, Around the World

Friday, September 2- Jungle Fever

Saturday, September 3- There is no Place Like Nebraska

Sunday, September 4- Western Round Up

Monday, September 5- The Good Life on a Stick

 

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  Galaxy of Stars Talent Search
  

• Semi-Finals: Saturday, September 3, 1:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.
• Finals: Sunday, September 4, 1:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.

• Bristol Stage

  Nebraskans have the opportunity to sing, dance, or play their way for a chance to win over $5,000 in cash prizes, recording sessions, and trophies at the GALAXY OF STARS® Talent Search. Contestants compete in three age divisions: Comets (12 & Under), Shooting Stars (13-18), and Novas (19 & over). Top Songwriters from across the State perform original songs during the Finals on Bristol Stage at the Fair. For more information, please see the GALAXY OF STARS® official website www.galaxyofstarstalentsearch.com.
  

• Click Here for 2011 Galaxy of the Stars Results

• Grand Island of Commerce Agicultural Committee Scavenger Hunt

• Monday, August 29 & Tuesday, August 30
• 9:00a.m. - 9:00p.m.
• Kidz Zone Kiosk
• The Scavenger Hunt is a self-guided event where students will be guided through various agirculture exhibits. "The Story of Agricultue" is the theme, this event allows us to tell the past and present of Agriculture. The Scavenger Hunt will provide an informative activity to bring awareness to the agriculture industy!
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• Hay Bale Decorating Contest

• Throughout Grand Island

  Another way to involve local businesses in the Nebraska State Fair is to host an annual hay bale decorating contest. Local businesses will receive a hay bale to decorate to commemorate the Nebraska State Fair. Hay bales will be located throughout the fairgrounds and city during the State Fair.
  
  

  
  
  Haybale Contestant Winners
• 1st place goes to Primrose
• 2nd place goes to Global Industries
• 3rd place goes to Tiffany Square
  

   

• Know Nebraska

  Know Nebraska is an opportunity for your community to compete to win one of three prized and complimentary exhibit booth spaces in the 4-H/FFA/Commercial Building at the 2011 Fair. All Nebraska counties/communities/tourism operations are encouraged to compete for a (FREE!) KNOW NEBRASKA booth space at the 2011 State Fair.
  
  
  

• Miss Nebraska State Fair & Miss Heartland Pageant

• Saturday, September 3, 2011
• Heartland Events Center
• 7:30pm
• A local, preliminary pageant to the Miss Nebraska and the Miss America Pageants open to women between the ages of 17 and 24. The pageant includes the following areas of competition: Interview, On-Stage Question, Evening Wear, Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit and Talent.
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  For more information please click here.
  
  

1st Place Community Service - Megan Dimmitt

2nd Place Commuinty Service - Anna Greenwald

Overall Talent - Mariah Cook

Overall Interview - Mariah Cook

2nd Runner Up - Anna Greenwald

1st Runner Up - Meghan Thalken

Miss Heartland - Kimberely Brennan

Miss Nebraska State Fair - Mariah Cook

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  Nebraska Auctioneer Association Bid Calling & Ringman Championship Contest
  

• Sunday, August 28, 1:00p.m.
• Bristol Stage
• Have you heard the auctioneer chant and wondered how it's done? Come listen to some of the best auctioneers in Nebraska compete for the honor of being the best. Join in the fun and bid on some of the items. Don't miss it! This is a live action and all sales are final.
  
  Registration form is no longer available. Please check back for 2012 registration form.

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• State Championship Kids Pedal Pulling Contest
  

• Saturday, August 27, 10:00a.m.
• Grandstand Apron
• Watch as kids ages 4-12 compete in the state championship pedal pulling contest! To access the Grandstand apron, proceed through the marketplace and come to the south side of the brick administration buildings on the southeast end of the grounds. Make your way through the antique tractors between the administration building and the Big Red Barn to reach the access to the Grandstand apron. This is a fun, FREE event!

Registration form is no longer available. Please check back for 2012 registration form.

Click Here for Results

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  Texaco Country Showdown

• Saturday, August 27, 2011 7:00p.m.
• Bristol Stage

• About the Showdown: Annually, over 450 radio stations across the country sponsor local Texaco Country Showdown contests. Winners advance to their state events where prizes include $1,000 and the opportunity to compete in one of five regional events. Regional winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to the National Final in Nashville to compete for $100,000 and the coveted title, “Best New Act in Country Music.” 

  Each year, more than 50,000 artists compete throughout the U.S. Past local, state, and regional winners include: Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Neal McCoy, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley, and Billy Ray Cyrus.

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  Registration form is no longer available. Please check back for 2012 registration form.
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  2011 Texaco Country Showdown Winner: Momma's Pride
  
  

• Window Display Contest

• Throughout Grand Island

  In partnership with the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce's Can Do Window Display Committee, a window display contest will be held throughout Grand Island, allowing local businesses to give a warm welcome to the guests of the State Fair.
  
  

• Professional/Paint: 

  1st Place goes to The Independent

  [no 2nd/3rd]

  Professional/Graphic:

  1st Place goes to CopyCat Printing & Signs

  [no 2nd/3rd]

  3D Display:

  1st Place goes to Prairie Winds Art Center

  2nd Place goes to On the Avenue Antiques

  3rd Place goes to Heartland Antique Mall

  Novice/Paint:

  1st Place goes to Uniforms “N” More

  2nd Place goes to Eileen’s Cookies

  3rd Place goes to Contryman Associates

  Honorable Mentions are A-C Laundry and YMCA

YMCA & State Fair Fun Run
Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 5:30p.m.

Fonner Park Race Track

Age Groups: 1 mile: 5 and under, 6-9, 10-13
2 mile: 13 and under, 14-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Medals will be given to 1st place male and female winners in each age group.
Entry Fee $15; includes a goody bag, t-shirt and pass into the State Fair for that day
Entry Deadline: Friday, August 19; After this date, participants are responsible to buy a ticket at the gate to get in to the fair ($3 per child, $5 per adult), in addition to race fee.
Packet Pick Up: August 30, 7:00-1:00 p.m. at the YMCA or 4:00-5:15 p.m. by the west State Fair entrance

Registration is no longer available. Please check back for 2012 registration form.

• York Chamber of Commerce National Scream Contest Preliminary

• Saturday, August 27 4:00p.m. - 5:30p.m.

• Kidz Zone Stage

• Auditions for the National Scream Contest will be held during the Nebraska State Fair on August 27th from (90 min time-frame). You can pre-register for the audition by going to www.yorkchamber.org, we will also take on-site auditions. Winners will be invited to come to York on Thursday October 20th to compete in the “National’s” during Scream on the Square. Categories will be Junior Screamer (10-14 year olds); Too Cool to Scream (15-18 year olds); Big Kids (19-49 years of age); Senior Screamers (50+) and Group Scream (2-4 participants, minimum age of 10)

  We are looking for the most blood-curdling screamers.