The Nebraska State Fair has welcomed its 5 millionth visitor since moving from Lincoln to Grand Island, a milestone fair officials say shows the event continues to thrive 17 years after its relocation.
The fair moved to Grand Island in 2010, and Nebraska State Fair Marketing Director Courtney Glock told KLIN News attendance since the move has been comparable to — and slightly higher than — what the fair saw during its years in Lincoln. “The attendance in Lincoln is real comparable to what it is here in Grand Island,” Glock said. “We’re actually up a little more since our relocation to Grand Island than what attendance was when it was in Lincoln.”
Glock said attendance is not the only measure of the fair’s success, but believes the numbers show the Fonner Park campus has served the event well. She credited Grand Island and the surrounding region with helping the fair establish itself in central Nebraska. “The community, city of Grand Island, and really just central Nebraska as a whole has kind of wrapped its arms around the State Fair to ensure that it thrives and succeeds here in more of the middle part of the state,” Glock said.
The 5 millionth visitor milestone came with an appropriate twist. Glock said the visitor was part of a family that had already attended the fair once this year and returned for another visit. “We were super excited that it went to a family who had already been to the fair once and came out a second time because they just couldn’t see everything in one day,” Glock said.
This year’s attendance has also given organizers reason for optimism. Glock said the first weekend came close to matching last year’s first weekend, which was nearly a record for the State Fair. “Crowds have been very strong,” Glock said. “Last year’s first weekend attendance was near record-breaking for us. And this year, we are right close to that.”
Fairgoers have dealt with hot weather this year, but Glock said organizers have several ways for visitors to cool off, including air-conditioned buildings, misting stations and water refill stations.
The fair is also offering thousands of hours of entertainment included with admission. Glock said more than 60 Nebraska-based bands are performing during the event, along with other attractions. Food, however, continues to be one of the biggest draws. “People have been loving it, coming out to just try new things,” Glock said. “We only get 11 days to really enjoy the best of the Nebraska State Fair each year. And we always say calories don’t count at the fair.”
Glock said people who visited the fair shortly after its move from Lincoln but haven’t returned may be surprised by how much has changed at the Grand Island grounds. “I see a lot of comments on social media, folks that are like, ‘Well, I went the first year and I never went again,’ and they are totally missing out,” Glock said. “Because the campus looks very different now than it did in 2010.”
The Nebraska State Fair continues through Labor Day. The final weekend includes a free Home Free concert Friday, Shinedown on Saturday and HARDY on Sunday. Monday will feature the fair’s annual veterans celebration, with Nebraska astronaut Clayton Anderson serving as keynote speaker and grand marshal. Gates close at 7 p.m. Monday.