State Fair hits milestone with 4 millionth guest

The Nebraska State Fair hit a milestone Sunday, welcoming the 4 millionth guest through the gates since the annual event made its debut in Grand Island 13 years ago.
An unsuspecting Grand Island couple and their young son received VIP treatment for the day as the milestone honorees on the third day of this year’s 11-day run.
“We were about 77,000 shy when we opened up on Friday and we’re getting really close to that right now,” State Fair Executive Director Jaime Parr reported in a press briefing just minutes before the honorees were chosen. “It’s amazing. I can’t believe how well supported the Nebraska State Fair has been in Grand Island. It’s been really, really, really well received and we’re so pleased to be throwing Nebraska’s largest celebration.”
Explaining in advance that the 4 millionth visitor was a calculated guess since so many people are coming through the gates each day, Parr said officials estimated the day and approximate time the milestone would be hit, around 1:30 p.m., then had marketing consultant Jack Sheard select a family at random amongst the in-coming crowd at the front gate.
“I thought maybe he was trying to sell us something at first, to be honest, and I was like I’m not interested in this,” admitted Caitlin Spahlnecker, who was chosen along with her husband Nathan and 5-year-old son, Hudson. “But after he explained …” then the family was all in.
The Spahlneckers received VIP treatment for the day, which included State Fair swag from the gift shop, food and beverage vouchers, tickets to the truck and tractor pull that night and a concert series event of choice, as well as a golf cart escort for the day.
“They’re going to have a wonderful day,” Parr said. 
The Spahlneckers both grew up in Grand Island and recalled watching the massive construction project unfold at Fonner Park, wondering how it would all turn out.
The 2010 debut was strong, and by 2013 more than 1 million guests had passed through the gates. In fact, that honor went to Clay and Angela Lents of Aurora. Now just 10 years later, the running tally topped 4 million, which is exciting news for Parr, a veteran State Fair staff member now in her first year as executive director, who recalled some major obstacles along the way including among other things a week-long rain storm and COVID-19.
“All of the community has gone through those and we certainly were not safe from any of those items, so we have persevered just like our communities,” she said. “We are so excited to be rockin’ and rollin’ for this year’s State Fair.”
Reflecting on the progress and change she’s witnessed over the past 13 years, Parr said a lot of people worked hard to make Grand Island a good host community.
“It is so important that the fair has earned the respect and trust from the community and the state of Nebraska,” she said. “We have fought hard and worked hard to earn that and it means everything that we’re able to amount to 4 million visitors in this year’s fair. It’s kind of crazy if you stop and think about it. There are a lot of zeroes on the end of that.”
Noting that the state’s population is estimated at less than 1.9 million, Parr said the 300,000-plus average attendance each year confirms the growing support of the ag-based celebration.
“Every year we try to have some changes, and we’re glad to roll with those, make it the best and see how it turns out,” she said. “There is almost always something positive to be found in that.”
Asked about a recent marketing strategy which included a billboard in Omaha challenging the notion that “Grand Island is too far away …” Parr said she thought it was well received.
“I’m so glad that the billboard was well received, as was the intent,” she said. “We want people in all of the metros to know that the Nebraska Sate Fair is close to the center of the state. We’re in Grand Island, and everyone’s invited. 
“We did get a couple extra calls about that and  a few people actually said they were going to come to the fair because of the creativity in that billboard,” she added. “So hey, it’s working.”
Asked about the challenges of adjusting to her own new role as executive director, Parr said she is taking it all in stride.
“It feels pretty awesome,” she admitted. “It’s not a lot different throughout the day, but at the end of the day there is a sense of accomplishment. The entire staff has done so much work and I’m glad to support them and try to guide them as best that I can.”
This year’s Nebraska State Fair continues through Labor Day.