Communities Gearing Up for County Fair Season

All across the state, communities are putting the finishing touches on their grounds for their annual county fairs. Nebraska Association of Fair Managers Tom Schellpeper said it's time for all the work organizers put in to pay off.

"Once fair season rolls around and you're hearing the advertisements on the radio, everybody gets a little more intrigued with the fair," he said. "They get a little more involved. They show up once or twice a week and start doing repairs [to the grounds].

Entertainment is a big part of county fairs. Schellpeper said while musical acts and carnivals can be a draw, county fairs excel at showing off local talents.

"That's what county fairs are for," Schellpeper said. "It's to highlight your local produce and your local venues, everything local. And it's designed to bring everyone in one spot."

An added challenge for some fairs this year is the effects of flooding. Damage to grounds can limit what the counties can do. Damaged roads can make it difficult to even get to the festivals. Schellpeper said fairs can counter that by acting as an escape for those hit by the floods.

"It means a lot," he said. "You can see it in the kids when they're running around. When we have kids day and there's clowns running around and balloon makers running around, you know, it's a magical time. It really is." 

County fair season kicks off this weekend in Nance County. Then over the next couple months, most counties in the state will host their own festivities. 

See the full list of fairs, including dates and locations, here: https://nebraskafairs.org/printfairs.php