(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 and the Heartland Event Center.
Karli Schulz is the Events and Entertainment Director of the Nebraska State Fair. “We continue to work to improve the fair every year,” she said. “The plans are for three shows inside the Heartland Event Center for ’24 and up to four additional shows at Anderson Auto Field.”
The fair board made the financial commitment after Schulz spoke at the October 20 board meeting asking for additional support.
“It’s a particularly competitive environment for talent these days,” said Nebraska State Fair Executive Director Jaime Parr. “There are many places for talent to play and not an abundance of talent to go around. I’m happy the fair board agreed to allow us to take this competitive step.”
The talent budget for the annual State Fair, August 23-September 2, has now tripled since the COVID year of 2020. ARPA funding improvements at Anderson Auto Field are expected to allow the venue to provide a better experience for talent.
The 2023 State Fair had a ticketed lineup which included Gabriel Iglesias, TobyMac, Bush, Lee Brice, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Three Dog Night. Depending on the speed of making agreements, the fair is hoping to go on sale with concert tickets earlier than April 2024.
With the new 2024 theme of “All Roads Lead to Fun” the 2024 Nebraska State Fair is August 23-September 2 at Fonner Park in Grand Island.
