Aug. 23 - Sep. 2, 2024

MENU

Aug. 23 - Sep. 2, 2024

days away

Search
Close this search box.

MENU

Search
Close this search box.

NEBRASKA STATE FAIR NEWS

Ultimate Bullfighters 1080x1080 1

State Fair announces Stampede Series, Twisted Chrome Series

The Nebraska State Fair once again will be filled with thrilling, mud-slinging action with the organization of dirt attractions into the Stampede Series to open the Fair and the Twisted Chrome Series presented by Motoplex of Norfolk to bring the Fair to a close. During opening weekend, the Stampede Series will feature back-to-back nights of bull action to kick off the State Fair. The Ultimate Bullriding Tour presented by Grand Kubota will compete Friday, Aug.

Read More »
Turnpike Troubadours 1080x1080 1

Red Dirt stars Turnpike Troubadours headline Nebraska State Fair

The Nebraska State Fair has announced their headline concert, as the kings of Red Dirt music Turnpike Troubadours have been added to the 2024 Nebraska Lottery Concert Series. “Turnpike Troubadours are used to headlining major events and selling out arenas,” said Karli Schulz, Entertainment and Events Director. “We are thrilled they are coming to the Nebraska State Fair.” Turnpike Troubadours, along with special guest Shane Smith and the Saints, will perform on Friday, Aug. 30,

Read More »
Ramon Ayala 1080x1080 1

Ramón Ayala farewell tour added to Nebraska State Fair lineup

A Hispanic artist will return to the Nebraska State Fair’s main stage lineup, as Ramón Ayala y sus Bravos del Norte is the latest addition to the 2024 Nebraska Lottery Concert Series. “We have seen great success – and a lot of fun – with our Spanish language musical acts in the previous few years, so we are very excited to have Ramon Ayala at this year’s State Fair,” said Jaime Parr, Nebraska State Fair

Read More »
ad8a1201

Riley Green Adds Modern Country to Lineup

Platinum-selling star Riley Green adds modern country to the Nebraska State Fair lineup Country music rising star Riley Green is the latest addition to the Nebraska Lottery Concert Series at the Nebraska State Fair. Green will kick off the outdoor section of the series on Wednesday, August 28.  “We know Nebraskans love country music, so we’re excited to have Riley Green at the State Fair,” said Karli Schulz, Nebraska State Fair Entertainment & Events Director.

Read More »
Yung Gravy Spotify

Yung Gravy Brings the Sauce to the Fair

Nebraska State Fair Announces First Concert of ’24 Fair Season The first of seven concerts announced for the ’24 Nebraska State Fair season sets us on the road to fun. Midwestern rapper and prolific Tik Tok performer Yung Gravy headlines a show at State Fair, with special guest Tayler Holder August 31. State Fair Executive Director Jaime Parr, “We want to have something for every musical taste. Yung Gravy has over 6 billion streams and

Read More »
Outdoor Concert at Nebraska State Fair September 2023

Nebraska State Fair Readies ’24 Concert Announce

Nebraska State Fair is preparing to announce performers for this summer’s Nebraska Lottery Concert Series and there are big bonuses for those who purchase early (within the first two weeks). Those bonuses include either a great reserved seat or price discount. There are at least two announcements scheduled in December. The first Show is scheduled to be released December 5. “I’m excited for what the team is bringing to the 2024 Nebraska State Fair,” said

Read More »
4Y0A7009

IAFE Awards

and the 2023 award goes to… The International Association of Fairs and Expos is the fair industries trade organization to sharing ideas, networking and creating all around better experiences for our guests at the Nebraska State Fair. Each year,  we scurry to submit the “best ofs” in a multitude of categories. The judging was revealed for the 2023 season, against some of the largest fairs across the world, and we are humbled with the results.

Read More »
Lee Brice 18

State Fair Talent Budget Doubles for 2024

Crowd watches Lee Brice Anderson Auto Field 9/2/2023 Lee Brice at NESF in 2023 (Grand Island, NE) A need to continue to be competitive and improve the quality of talent for the Nebraska Lottery Concert Series led the Nebraska State Fair Board to approve a large increase in the talent budget for the 2024 fair. The fair’s new budget will support up to seven national concerts at the fair’s multiple venues of Anderson Auto Field

Read More »
IMG 3185

State Fair Announces Battle of Businesses Winners

October 4, 2023 (Grand Island, NE) Three outstanding businesses were named winners in their categories in the State Fair’s annual Battle of the Businesses volunteer competition.  The competition tallies the number of hours employees serve each year at the Nebraska State Fair. Businesses are divided into small, medium, and large organizations during the competition. Haley Roush, Volunteer Coordinator of the State Fair, “The Battle of the Businesses is a great opportunity for businesses to serve

Read More »
4Y0A4190

14,000 Hours at Nebraska State Fair

The Nebraska State Fair volunteer program blew past the 14,000 hour mark in 2023, logging 14,325 hours of time from volunteer efforts.  The 741 individual volunteers take part in numerous positions on the grounds including landscaping, information kiosk, package handling and delivery, tram driving and hosting, and event assistance. State Fair Volunteer Coordinator Haley Roush, “it is important to the smooth operation of the fair that we have lots of help.  Our volunteers went overboard

Read More »
Johnson and Hope Harbor drop

Aksarben Stock Show Donates Chicken Harvest

(Grand Island, NE) The Aksarben Stock Show donated 570 pounds of chicken to local Grand Island service organizations Friday afternoon. The products were harvested from the stock show competition last weekend and processed Monday.  During the presentation, Aksarben Stock Show Manager Jacque Johnson said, “Aksarben Stock Show is a part of our community in Grand Island and central Nebraska. The agricultural community is very generous, and we are happy to help as we can.” Aksarben

Read More »
Mobile Flavor header

Nebraska State Fair continues to grow in 2023

The Nebraska State Fair announced continued attendance growth in 2023. The attendance at Nebraska’s largest annual event broke 300,000 for the first time since COVID, posting 8.5 percent growth over 2022 with 311,909 guests during its 11-day run ending on Labor Day. High temperatures leading up to opening day and again during closing weekend did not stop guests from coming to Grand Island in search of great flavors of food, fun, livestock and celebrations of

Read More »
lost property

LOST ITEMS FOUND AT STATE FAIR

All lost items that were found on the fairgrounds during the 2023 Nebraska State Fair will be held at the Nebraska State Fair office located on the 2nd floor of the Nebraska Building 501 E Fonner Park Rd Grand Island, NE. To locate a lost item, call the office Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM at 308-382-1620. All items will be held until December 15th, 2023.

Read More »
Bullseye

Bull Riding, Bull Fighting, now Bull Bucking at State Fair

The 2023 Nebraska State Fair had Whatever Your Flavor completely covered with bull.  Bull riding on opening night at the fair.  Bull fighting coming up Sunday September 3rd.  This weekend was bull bucking with a mechanical bull set to challenge all comers to an 8 second or more ride. You can find the mechanical bull in the Grand District at the Fairgrounds. If you want tickets to Sunday’s bull riding event, click here.  Whatever your

Read More »
Case sprayer 4 9 1 23

Heartland Ag and Case IH Team to Keep Fair Cooler

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 looking for a way to keep things more comfortable. “With a little more summer heat coming, we wanted to find

Read More »
Attendance

State Fair attendance up nearly 30 percent through five days

  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 to 114,996 reported last year, an increase of 34,378 visitors. “We had a very strong day on Saturday with nice,

Read More »
Food winner

New and Unique Food Contest Results

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 Melt (Runner Up): Leon’s Food Truck FP#306 – Our golden crisp Birria Melt is the perfect combination of classic American

Read More »
IMG 6015

4 Millionth Visitor Celebrated at State Fair

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, and a mini shopping spree in the 1868 Gift Shop. We are the lucky ones though, hosting over four million

Read More »
Nebraska State Fair Marathon logo 1437866109 2

State Fair Marathon Start

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 in the U.S. where he has completed a marathon.  Congratulations to all who ran today. 

Read More »
days away

Plan Your Visit

Ag & Competitions

Event & Activity Registration

Food & Vendors

Sponsors

Volunteers

Skip to content