Application Process
Thank you for your interest in becoming a concessionaire or commercial vendor at the Nebraska State Fair. To formalize your interest, please complete the online application located on our website under Become A Vendor. There is no specific deadline for applications, as they are accepted year-round. When completing your application, please include photos of your booth setup along with details about your products and/or services. All submissions become the property of the Nebraska State Fair and will not be returned.
Once your application is submitted, you will receive an automatic reply email confirming its receipt. Please note that this confirmation will be the only correspondence you receive unless a licensing opportunity becomes available. Applications are reviewed annually, and a new application must be submitted each year to be considered for participation in the upcoming fair.
The selection process is highly competitive. Each year, many applications are reviewed for a limited number of available spaces. The Nebraska State Fair does not maintain a waiting list; however, as opportunities arise, applications that best fit our available spaces and programming needs will be considered.
Application inforamtion
The Sales Department is responsible for selecting concessionaires, commercial vendors, and exhibitors for the annual Nebraska State Fair (2026 dates: August 28 – September 7).
If you are interested in offering food & beverage items, retail merchandise, or an exhibit display at the Nebraska State Fair, please complete the online application form found on our website under Become A Vendor.
Applications are accepted year-round and are reviewed as space and opportunities become available. You can find additional information and printable resources outlining current rates, policies, and requirements in the Vendor Forms section.
Interested in operating an attraction or interactive experience? Contact us to learn more about opportunities within the Pay-to-Play category!
Applications are to be completed online and will automatically be submitted to the Nebraska State Fair Sales Department.Â
NOTE: There is no cost to apply. DO NOT send payment with any form!
A few items to consider:Â
- Booth presentation, appearance, and presence
- Even distribution of similar products and services throughout the fairgrounds
- Appropriateness of product, service, or presentation to the available site
- How well the product, service, or presentation matches the space
- Experience at other events/fairs
Types of Agreements/Contracts
Food and Beverage Percentage Concession – Food and beverage concessionaires are subject to the greater of a $600.00 guarantee or 18% of adjusted sales per location.
Solicitation Exhibitor (Commercial Vendor) – Licenses are issued to vendors who display goods, equipment, products, or services for advertising purposes and future sales only. Additionally, these license holders may take orders and engage in retail sales, accept cash, checks, or credit card payments, take deposits, solicit contributions, or accept any form of payment for future product or service delivery.
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Indoor Exhibitor Rates:
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Inline Booth: $968.50
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Corner Booth: $1,098.50
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Outdoor Exhibitor Rates:
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$30 per front foot (e.g., a 20′ × 20′ space = $600)
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A minimum charge of $450 applies to all spaces under 15 front feet
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Non-Solicitation Exhibitor (No Sales) – Licenses are issued to institutions, organizations, or agencies whose exhibits, at the discretion of the Concessions & Commercial Vendor Department, qualify as educational or provide a service to the Nebraska State Fair and its patrons. These exhibitors are typically nonprofit organizations, branches of the military, or community-focused entities. No retail sales, order taking, deposit acceptance, solicitation of contributions, or product/service deliveries are permitted under these licenses.
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Indoor Exhibitor Rates:
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Inline Booth: $745.00
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Corner Booth: $845.00
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Additional Information – License fees are subject to change and cover most usual and ordinary costs, excluding electric connection and consumption, insurance, outside gate admission for personnel and vehicles, and any other extraordinary costs. All license holders are required to carry commercial general liability insurance.
