2022 Nebraska State Fair

[Coyote]

Nebraska State Fair kicks off for 153rd year

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KOLN) - The 153rd annual Nebraska State Fair has officially kicked off on Grand Island. Fairgoers will have countless options for snacks, treats and entertainment through Sept. 5. “We are bringing attractions that you just don’t see at a county fair or even most state fairs,’’ said Frank Zaitshik, President of Wade Shows. “Plan on spending hours here. there’s so much to see and do; there’s 40,000 hours of free entertainment,” NSF Executive Director Bill Ogg said, “Once you’re on the grounds, you literally cannot take it all in.”

Rides

The Wade Shows Carnival 2022 will have three newer attractions: the Enterprise, the Mega Drop and the Cliff Hanger. The Enterprise, named after the USS Enterprise from the “Star Trek” TV show, is one of the largest rides of the carnival, holding 40 people at a time, with two people in each gondola. The Mega Drop is the largest portable Drop Tower in the country, rising 120-feet. The car rises on the tower to the full height before free falling back to a safe stop below. For those who may prefer more moderate thrill level rides, a new ride called the Cliff Hanger will be making its Nebraska State Fair debut. Made to simulate the motion and sensation of hang gliding. Zaitshik said the fair carnival will also have plenty of rides for the kids and old time favorites such as the Spider, the Swings and bumper cars.

Entertainment

Rapper Flo Rida will perform Saturday, Sept. 3 at the Nebraska State Fair. Other acts featured in the Nebraska Lottery Concert Series include Jeff Dunham, Brantley Gilbert, Los Tucanes de Tijuana and the “Happy Together” Tour.

Tickets & wristbands

Rides at the carnival require between 3 and 5 tickets. Prices are 5 for $6, 25 for $25, or 55 for $50. Unlimited access wristbands are available for $26 before Aug. 26, or $30 at the Fair. “The wristbands are among the most popular items we sell,” Ogg said. For more information and to purchase Nebraska State Fair carnival wristbands, you can click here.

[Coyote]

State Fair: The Wilder Show



NTV News
The Wilder Show is an engaging, interactive comedy show that you can find strolling the grounds at the Nebraska State Fair.

[Coyote]

Fiesta Latina at the Nebraska State Fair

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - With the official start of Hispanic Heritage month a little over a week away, it was time to fiesta at the Nebraska State Fair. The Fiesta Latina event was held on the fairgrounds, featuring dancing, a car show, and tasty beverages. The event is meant to help celebrate Hispanic cultures all across the globe. “I think it’s important because it brings all the communities together. It brings all the Tri-Cities together. The whole state of Nebraska comes together and celebrate Hispanic heritage. I think its a good principle for anybody to understand where we come from, what our beliefs are, what our culture is and I think it just brings everybody together,” said Eddy Covarrubias, organizer of Fiesta Latina. Rosa Alvardo, who is also an organizer of Fiesta Latina noted, Latino communities are also no stranger to struggle and poverty.

“A lot of impoverished countries they need a place, they needed to escape. So they use trash and turn it into art in these impoverished countries, that way our children and children of the future and next generation can create positive impacts in the communities,” Alvarado said. This year, recycle artist, Lazaro Medina Hernandez, was featured, turning perceived trash into treasure. “He wanted to motive the kids in Cuba to have fun with the little bit of elements that they have which is recycling and he created this work of art. As you can see it’s a mixture between a mouse and a dog. The kids love it, they paint on it. They have a good time and it’s fun for them, it’s interactive for them,” said Covarrubias. Hernandez does many of these arts in Cuba and enjoys hosting events to teach kids how much can be done by using your imagination. “This event stands out because it’s very symbolic,” Alvarado said. “It represents our sacrifice and hardship that many immigrates from Mexico, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean have overcome so they can migrate to the United States for the American Dream.” Organizers aim to make the event bigger and better next year through diversity and inclusion.

[Coyote]

Nebraska State Fair saw increase in attendance this year

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (WOWT) - The numbers are in from the Nebraska State Fair. Its 11-day run wrapped up Monday. Officials say the event saw a nearly 8% bump in attendance, with more than 287,000 guests going through the turnstiles in Grand Island. Organizers are crediting the clear skies for the spike, saying they only saw one significant rain event over the course of the fair. They also say the diverse entertainment lineup helped drive attendance. Also of note was the new alcohol walk-a-round policy. It saw higher sales and no alcohol-related incidents were reported. Planning for next year’s fair is already underway.

[gisbuxfan]

I had to look up from a previous post what the numbers are year to year. 2022 was a big improvement considering several roadblocks along the way. They still have a long way to go though.

Nebraska State Fair:
2022: 287,347
2021: 266,245
2020: 50,232
2019: 283,468
2018: 314,805
2017: 379,108
2016: 361,107
2015: 352,176

What will be interesting is how they adapt to the casino coming in. The fair will have to shift a number of its exhibits to accommodate what is to come.

[Coyote]

Hispanic Art Center of Omaha Performs "Jarabe Ranchero" at Nebraska State Fair 2022

[Coyote]

Bill Ogg leaving Nebraska State Fair

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (Press Release) - Bill Ogg, executive director of the Nebraska State Fair, announced that he intends to resign his position and to assist with the transition to new leadership. “I was hired in 2020 to ‘right the ship.’ The 2022 Nebraska State Fair, with record numbers in several areas and positive surveys of exhibitors, vendors and the public, is once again heading in the right direction and full steam ahead. The effort we put in has been both exhilarating and exhausting, and I am ready to invest more time with my family and for myself,” Ogg explained. “We are grateful for Bill’s hard work on behalf of the Nebraska State Fair and Aksarben Stock Show. His efforts through the difficulties of COVID-19, our increased attendance and positive financial position are testaments to Bill’s leadership,” said Nebraska State Fair Board Chairman Bob Haag.“Coming aboard in the middle of COVID-19 was so very challenging,” Ogg said. “I’ll always be proud of the celebration of Nebraska 4-H and FFA youth that the 2020 Fair was able to host. That was memorably rewarding.”

After the Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting on Friday, October 14, 2022, Ogg will assume the position of Executive Director emeritus and will work closely with longtime Deputy Executive Director Jaime Parr to transition duties and responsibilities until a new Executive Director is selected. In the coming weeks the Nebraska State Fair Board intends to announce the process for identifying, recruiting and selecting its next executive director. “I’m grateful for the trust the Nebraska State Fair Board placed in me to lead a Fair struggling financially with public trust issues. Together we have managed to improve from a $1.7 million deficit to nearly $9 million cash on hand and I genuinely believe we have significantly regained the public’s confidence,” said Ogg.