NEBRASKA STATE FAIR NEWS
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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,
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
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
Nebraska State Fair at Night
Video from the Nebraska Building balcony of the ’23 State Fair at night.
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.
State Fair Combine Ride Update for Saturday
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 Bill Marshall Volleyball Classic attracts fans from every corner of the state to see their teams in action. Nearly 450
Nebraska’s Largest Classroom Adds More Education
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 than 4,500 youths from across the state are expected to attend. The fair will be open to the general public
Veterans Day Returns to Monday at State Fair
Veterans will take center stage during the final day of the Nebraska State Fair, Monday, Sept. 4. “We moved Veteran’s Day to Labor Day after getting feedback from many vets last year,” said Karli Schulz, Entertainment and Events Director. “They told us loud and clear they wanted this event on a day most people had off and could come and take part in the celebration, as well as take advantage of the services offered to veterans this
Cable Spools Revealed
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 shortages derailed the contest for the past few years. Nebraska State Fair Volunteer Coordinator Haley Roush announced the return
Nebraska State Fair and Tractor Supply Co. Form Birthing Pavilion Partnership
The Birthing Pavilion at Nebraska State Fair is one of the most unique and well attended education attractions at the fair each year. Tractor Supply Company, based in Tennessee with 25 stores across Nebraska, is a leader in animal health nationwide. Today, the two announced Tractor Supply Co. will be the new title sponsor of the Tractor Supply Birthing Pavilion. “Kids of all ages are always excited to see the newborn animals at the fair,”
Competes in World Championship then at Nebraska State Fair
On the box Jump in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Jacob Thiem performed with the NoWear BMX Stunt Team at State Fair several years ago as an amateur. When he takes to the box jump in August in Grand Island, it will be as a member of Team USA Worlds team and as 12th ranked BMX Freestyle performer in the world. Theim is from Kennard, Nebraska and one of only six riders of Team USA who
Three Dog Night Added to State Fair
The Nebraska State Fair is pleased to announce Three Dog Night in concert on Tuesday, August 29, at the Heartland Events Center. Three Dog Night, at the peak of their career, achieved more top 10 hits, moved more records and sold more concert tickets than any other band of the day. Nebraska State Fair executive director, Jaime Parr said, “Three Dog Night is a band that has not only crossed all borders selling records
Summertime Jobs at Nebraska State Fair
With State Fair less than 8 weeks away there are some great part time job opportunities for you to jump on. We particularly like the marketing opportunities and if you love social and websites, this might be for you. Check it out here.