Nebraska State Fair has issued a Request for Proposal for the purpose of vehicle leases for the fair’s operation. This program is expected to run for a five year term and may have multiple awards to this bid.  Complete details on bidding for qualified motor vehicle sales and lease organizations are here. 

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

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

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.

(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

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.

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

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

  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,

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

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

Video from the Nebraska Building balcony of the ’23 State Fair at night. 

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. 

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. 

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

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