More than 300,000 people attended the 2026 Nebraska State Fair, despite one of the warmest 11-day stretches on record. Fair officials say 306,351 guests attended the 11-day event, making it the fourth-highest attendance total among the seven fairs held since 2020.
Nebraska State Fair Executive Director Jaime Parr says guest satisfaction increased, more than 10,000 head of livestock filled the barns, outdoor concert attendance was up from the previous three years and the demolition derby had record participation.
Marketing Director Courtney Glock says improvements made this year were guided in part by guest feedback. “We spend a great deal of time listening to what our guests tell us,” Glock says. “That feedback helps us determine what is working, where we can improve and where we should invest additional resources.”
Those improvements included additional outdoor seating, changes to concert models, new strolling performers and more emphasis on Nebraska-based businesses. The Fair took place during an unusually hot stretch. National Weather Service data shows Aug. 28 through Sept. 7 was the third-warmest such 11-day period on record, behind only 1922 and 1913.
The average high temperature during the Fair was 92 degrees with temperatures reaching at least 90 degrees on eight of the 11 days. The hottest day was Labor Day, when temperatures reached 99 degrees and the heat index climbed to 104.
Fair officials are already reviewing guest feedback and beginning plans for the 2027 Nebraska State Fair. Guests can provide feedback by clicking here.
(Photo: Nebraska State Fair)