Countless hours of preparation put in before Nebraska State Fair gates open

GRAND ISLAND, NE — Before the sounds of laughter and joyful screams fill the Fonner Park campus, it’s full of the sounds of machinery and power washers as vendors and fair workers painstakingly prepare for the Nebraska State Fair.

Executive Director Bill Ogg says some vendors arrived 2.5 weeks ago. The fair’s 16 full-time staffers started set up in July and have been planning for more than a year. He says the fair is worth all the work.

“This is an annual showcase of our culture, of our products, of our livestock. It’s a reunion of people. It’s a tremendously educational event,” Ogg said.

Joe Hedrick and his team got to Grand Island on Monday to start building their exhibits. He hosts the petting zoo, pony rides, camel rides and the fair-staple pig races.

“Getting all the electricity set up, all the water for all the animals, all the feed - they’ve been bringing that in today," Hedrick said. "There’s a lot of prep going into the fair.”

Hedrick has been working the State Fair for at least 30 years. He draws his enjoyment from watching families watch his shows.

“The grandmas and grandpas enjoy it every bit as much as the little kids," Hedrick said. "They get to reminiscing about a pony or a donkey or a goat that they had as a little kid. They’re both for people of all ages, religion, any nationality - we’re here for everybody.”

Changes at the fair this year include relocated entertainment sites, a singular tram route, an enhanced Stuhr Road entrance, and a campus-wide liquor license allowing people to carry beverages throughout the grounds.

Action starts right away, with more than 3500 4-H youth participating over the first weekend.

“When you see that 4-H or FFA youth accept a well-earned award and the humbling exuberance that they show, then it’s worth it. That’s what makes a great fair," Ogg said.

Tuesday is News Channel Nebraska day at the fair. Show the NCN app on your phone and admission is free.