The Nebraska State Fair will return for its 154th year this August with a new theme. The State Fair announced Friday that this year’s theme is “Whatever Your Flavor.” “Everyone loves fair food, whether it’s the traditional funnel cake or something more exotic, like alligator bites,” State Fair Executive Director Jaime Parr said. “We’ve got all that, but we’ve also got other kinds of flavors.” Each year features a new theme at the Nebraska State Fair. Board Chairman Bob Haag says this year’s theme helps get across the idea that the fair is for all Nebraskans.
“Whoever you are, whatever you love, we’ve got it at your Nebraska State Fair,” Haag said. “If it’s a concert or a corn dog, a sheep show or the Sky Tram, this is the place to enjoy it with family and friends.” The 2023 Nebraska State Fair will be from Aug. 25 through Sept. 4 in Grand Island. Last year’s State Fair theme was “Nothing More Nebraskan.” The 2022 fair saw increased attendance with more than 287,000 guests throughout its 11-day run.
It’s always difficult to come up with new themes for annual events. I used to be on a statewide committee that put on annual conferences and after about 20 years and 20 themes you just sort of run low on catchy new themes. But I applaud the Fair commission for coming up with a great theme for this year’s event.
The great difficulty the Nebraska fair has(that Iowa’s fair does not have) is that the Nebraska fair never really had much of a reputation for being “the place to be” come the end of summer. Omahans wouldn’t even attend in large numbers when it was held in Lincoln. Now it’s as far from Omaha as is the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. It’s really destined to attract a mostly rural-centric audience, for which there really is no competition for entertainment dollars.
The Nebraska State Fair is now just under six months away. Public voting is now open for the Fairest Showdown: Battle of the Bands and will continue through April 18. 48 bands from across the state have entered and are eligible for the inaugural contest, which includes a grand prize of $2,000 and a chance to open at a State Fair main stage concert. Public voting will reduce the number of bands to the top 10, which will be announced on April 20.
This year’s Nebraska State Fair will be Aug. 25 through Sept. 4 in Grand Island with the theme “Whatever Your Flavor.”
Whatever your flavor the Nebraska State Fair says you’ll find something you’ll like including a standup act you can enjoy sitting down. From outlaw fries to pineapple whip, you’ll find all sorts of foods at the fair and this year you’ll also find more variety in the concert series. “We are being intentional, trying to cover each of those genres and pay attention to what our guests are asking for,” said Jaime Parr, executive director. The Oak Ridge Boys kick things off inside the Heartland Events Center then shows move outside with comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias, Christian chart topper TobyMac, rock band Bush, country star Lee Brice, and a “Fiesta Latina” event.
- Mon. Aug 28 Oak Ridge Boys
- Wed. Aug 30 Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias
- Thurs. Aug 31 TobyMac
- Fri. Sept. 1 Bush
- Sat. Sept. 2 Lee Brice
- Sun. Sept. 3 Banda Maguey
You are right, not a great lineup, however, its a huge step up from 2022. Probably the best line up post Covid-19. They have struggled with leadership, but the new president of the fair board will be good for the future.
Live everyday to its fullest.. err.. just make sure your coffee cup is full. You should be good then.
OMAHA, Neb. (KPTM) — On Friday, September 1, the Nebraska State Fair will play host to English rock band Bush with newly announced, special guest Pop Evil, according to a press release from the fair. "Unafraid to embrace the heaviest and most melodic ends of the spectrum, Pop Evil’s songs range from fist-pumping anthems and timeless power ballads," said the press release.
Tickets for the show run $66 for the pit and $46 for general admission. They can be purchased at statefair.org.
The Nebraska State Fair will run from August 25 to September 4 in Grand Island.
