Theme for 2024 event is ‘All roads lead to fun’
For the 15th consecutive year Grand Island will turn into a hub of learning and fun starting Friday and running through Sept. 2 with an event that celebrates the state’s ag-based heritage.
The theme for this year’s Nebraska State Fair is “All roads lead to fun,” which has multiple meanings, according to Executive Director Jaime Parr.
“There are so many different components of the State Fair, and ‘All roads lead to fun’ kind of encompasses all of them,” Parr explained in an ANR interview. “However you’re getting to the State Fair, that road is leading you to a really fun experience, even if it’s filled with efforts and work as an exhibitor or as a vendor or a different partner.”
Growing the event’s attendance is a goal each year, Parr noted, recalling that a family was chosen at random during last year’s event as the 4 millionth visitor since the State Fair moved to Grand Island.
“Yes, we do have goals, and we’re excited to see that continue to increase every year, but our real kind of measurables are the customer experience and us feeling like we’ve done a good job to be inclusive and representative of our state and providing those experiences that make those memories that last a lifetime,” she said. “We did put extra emphasis this year on extending invitations for people to come to the fair from every part of the state. This year we have billboards in almost every county, so it really is a culmination of every county fair, whether you’re in Douglas County or Keya Paha County. This is the Nebraska State Fair, and we want all counties to come here and to check it out.”
A mix of old and new
Once guests arrive on property, they will find a mixture of familiar fan-favorites, as well as new and different activities and events.
“So every year we’re challenged to find this perfect mixture of traditional items alongside new and exciting things that people haven’t seen before,” Parr said. “ One of those new things at this year’s fair is an American Highlander cattle show, featuring a new breed of cattle for the State Fair with both a display and show competitions.”
New also is a “Lunch Bunch Special,” with folks coming to the fair on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday getting some special discounts to get into the gate as well as a free lunch. Also new is a bargain book that has about $1,500 worth of savings in it, which Parr said is designed to give folks an affordable way to come and see all that there is to see.
The State Fair is designed to be entertaining as well as educational, which is reflected in the Moo U tours that will lead guests on tours on the hour through the various barns telling them all about what those exhibitors are doing to get those livestock and animals ready to show.
Speaking of animal shows, Parr reported Friday that ag entries are up more than 1,500 from a year ago, including 465 more goats, 200 more beef cattle, 20 more sheep along with hundreds of more horticulture, photography, ag product and visual arts entries.
“Our livestock numbers are coming in very strong and so are our competitive exhibits, so those are ways that anybody from across the state can participate,” she said. “The entries are closed for this year, but we are so proud and excited about the increases. Being up more than 1500 entries this year is just amazing. We are very excited, and setting up for an amazing, huge Nebraska State Fair.”
Entertainment options
The Nebraska State Fair Board announced months ago plans to increase its talent budget, which resulted in what Parr said is an impressive and varied line-up of shows.
“We want to be make sure that we’re able to cover a wide range of genres, and then make sure that the State Fair has a show for everyone,” she said. “So this year, it results in we’re up to six concerts that the State Fair is producing, plus one other concert that’s promoted by a third party promoter, Spirit in the Sky.
“We’ve got three indoor shows and four major outdoor shows,” she continued. “We’re covering Christian music, classic rock, classic country, current country, Latino and some country rap as well as Turnpike Troubadours are going to be a great show as well. So we’re very excited about our lineup. We do feel like we speak to lots of different interests, and look forward to see people coming out for one of those national shows at the State Fair.”
Slight detours
One other aspect of the theme is the construction underway on the Fonner Park grounds involving the new casino. Parr said that all construction activity has been put on pause during the fair, though there are some detours to be aware of.
“That leads back to another reason that we chose the theme, ‘All roads lead to fun,’ because there are some detours on the grounds this year, though I would say they are minimal as far as impacting general fair guests.”
Guests who are accustomed to coming onto the property from the north entrance off Fonner Park Road will notice that the ADA handicap parking area has been moved to a more central area on the grounds. Parr also noted that other improvements on the grounds, some of which are being paid with ARPA funding.
There are a couple of places where people might run into a bit of a detour on grounds, but just remember as you’re going through the detour, that all roads do lead to fun.”
For more ticket sales or other information, go to statefair.org or download the State Fair mobile app.