(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

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

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

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,”

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.  

From Grand Island Independent This summer, Hear Grand Island is partnering with the Nebraska State Fair’s “Fairest Showdown” battle of the bands. Karli Schulz of the State Fair talked about the “Fairest Showdown” at Wednesday May 10’s news conference. Hear Grand Island and the State Fair are two of the largest musical events in central Nebraska, she said. The “Fairest Showdown” began with 49 bands, and the number has been whittled down to seven.  The