Aug. 28, 2026

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Aug. 28 - Sep. 7, 2026

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Heartland Ag and Case IH Team to Keep Fair Cooler

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Staying cool over the next three days is going to be a lot more fun at the Nebraska State Fair thanks to Heartland Ag and Case IH.  The companies teamed up to fabricate a giant mister for the fairgrounds to keep guests cooler as they walk the grounds. State Fair Executive Director Jaime Parr was […]

State Fair attendance up nearly 30 percent through five days

Attendance

  Great weather and a number of fun attractions helped push the 2023 Nebraska State Fair to a 29.9 percent increase in attendance through the first five days as compared to the same five days in 2022, according to preliminary data released by the Fair Wednesday. The total through Tuesday was 149,374 this year, compared […]

New and Unique Food Contest Results

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Fan Favorite contest at the fair is the New and Unique Food Contest that was held Friday. Be sure to come try out the winning food! Savory: Jac Mak (Winner): Cactus Jack’s FP#701 – Creamy Mac ‘n Cheese, loaded with slow smoked brisket (or pulled chicken), topped with jalapenos, and drizzled with BBQ sauce. Birria […]

4 Millionth Visitor Celebrated at State Fair

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The State Fair is really about people. Four million of them to be exact! Caitlin, Nathan, and Hudson were the four millionth visitors to the Nebraska State Fair since the Fair relocated to Grand Island. Our guests of honor were treated to passes to the Fair, food vouchers, tickets to the concert of their choice, […]

State Fair Marathon Start

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Saturday morning means the start time for one of the flattest, fastest marathon runs in the country, the State Fair marathon. If you weren’t up early to see it, here’s how it began.  Nearly 880 runners took part in some form of today’s event, including one runner whose effort in Nebraska was the 47th state […]

State Fair Combine Ride Update for Saturday

Combine rides

Friday night’s rain has left the Fonner Park Racetrack too wet for combines to use this morning.  We are expecting an improvement by later this afternoon.  We will update this post as needed. 

Bill Marshall Volleyball Classic Enters Last Year

The eighth and final Bill Marshall Volleyball Classic will be on Saturday, Aug. 26, during the opening weekend of the Nebraska State Fair. Nineteen high schools from around the state are expected to play, including local teams Grand Island Central Catholic and Northwest High School. Games will take place in the Heartland Events Center. The […]

Nebraska’s Largest Classroom Adds More Education

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From carnival rides to treats on a stick, the Nebraska State Fair has a lot to offer any youngster. But it also has a lot to teach them, about agriculture and Nebraska. That’s why the State Fair will turn into Nebraska’s Largest Classroom on Friday, Aug. 25; Tuesday, Aug. 29; and Wednesday, Aug. 30. More […]

Cable Spools Revealed

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There may be a hay shortage, but Nebraska State Fair has found a way to bring back the Hay Bale Contest for 2023. Since the State Fair has been in Grand Island, the hay bale contest had become almost a right of summer around central Nebraska. The rains in 2019, COVID in 2020, and hay […]

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