The Board of Directors of the Nebraska State Fair has earmarked a total of $100,000 to be given, in the name of State Fair Volunteers, to the City of Grand Island for the Veterans Athletic Field Complex.

According to State Fair executive director Joseph McDermott, “The State Fair’s volunteers are the absolute best. We want to commemorate their commitment to the success of the fair at the presentation.”

The athletic fields were displaced from Fonner Park when the Nebraska State Fair moved from Lincoln to Grand Island and needed the ballparks for parking. As a result, the ballparks have been rebuilt on north Broadwell on land once owned by the State of Nebraska for future use by the Veterans Home if needed.

On hand to speak at the ceremony will be Grand Island Mayor Jay Vavricek, State Fair Board President Jana Kruger and Executive Director Joseph McDermott.

“Our 893 volunteers gave over 11,000 hours to the State Fair. Better still, our research indicates that 91.6% of this year’s fairgoers found our volunteers to be good to excellent. Our volunteers are exemplary in every way,” McDermott said.

The State Fair Volunteers, and the public are invited to attend. “We also anticipate our board president Jana Kruger to throw a pitch to Mayor Vavricek following the ceremony.” McDermott said.

The State Fair Volunteer Program is underwritten by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, the Nebraska State Fair, the 1868 Foundation, Principal Financial Group and Fonner Park.