State fair doubles down on new outdoor venue

Moving the Nebraska State Fair to Grand Island has been a success as far as attendance goes, with the exception of last year, when foul weather dropped attendance by 25,000 on the second Sunday, which traditionally has some of the heaviest attendance.

At that, some 1.6 million people have attended the Nebraska State Fair since it moved to Grand Island in 2010, and officials are anticipating breaking the 2 million mark.

About 11 percent of attendees come from Lincoln, 6 percent from Omaha and 60 percent from the Grand Island area -- drawing from about a 150-mile area.

Rather than cower in the face of Mother Nature, fair officials are doubling down by moving their major draw, Keith Urban, to an outdoor venue on Aug. 29, the infield of the 5/8th-mile Fonner Park raceway, which can accommodate 14,000 fans compared to the Heartland Event Center's 5,300.

Fans of Jerrold Neimann, who is appearing at the Chase County Fair, can catch him at Grand Island on Aug. 28, the first test of the fair's new Fonner Park venue.

With a nod to Nebraska's enthusiasm for competition, the Hasting College Broncos will take on the Bellevue Bruins volleyball team in the Heartland Event Center at 7 p.m. opening day, Aug. 28.

In what has been described as the toughest two minutes in sports, the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge will pit teams and individuals from around the country in grueling events such as the Tower Climb, Hose Hoist, Forcible Entry and Victim Rescue. You can catch that event on the west side of the Nebraska Building Sept. 5 and 6.

If you're looking for a bargain, try $2 Tuesday (Sept. 1) and $3 Thursday (Sept. 3) when you can not only get a break from the regular $10 admission price but also enjoy food, beverage and merchandise discounts as well as specials on the Wade Shows Midway.

Or, if you come to the fair between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and pay to get in, you will receive a redeemable token, and can have a specially-priced weekday lunch. If you leave by 1:30, redeem your token for a full refund of gate admission.

Besides Jerrod Niemann on Aug. 28 and Keith Urban on Aug. 29, other performers include Tony Orlando on Sept. 2, the Newsboys on Sept. 3, Huey Lewis and the News on Sept. 4, Terry Fator on Sept. 5 and Jake Owen on Sept. 6.

Special days include Older Nebraskans on Sept. 2, Cattleman's Day on Sept. 3, County Fair Day Sept. 5, UNL Red Out Day Sept. 6, and Veterans Day Sept. 7.

Grounds entertainment include the Nowear BMX Freestyle Student Team, Rock-It the Robot, EleFun! Elephant Show, the Molodi body percussion performance ensemble, Stilt Circus, SwashChucklers Comedy Pirate Show, Hendrick's Around the World In One Display" Zoo, Hedrick's Racing Pigs and Bobbie the Barker.

The State Fair Marathon, "The Fastest Flattest Course in the Nation," is Saturday, Aug. 29, along with a half marathon and 5k.

For advance tickets and more information, visit StateFair.org or install the Nebraska State Fair app from iTunes or Google Play on your Apple or Android smartphone.

Moving the state fair out of Lincoln -- even if it was "only" to Grand Island -- was a coup for "outstate" Nebraska and we hope our part of the state continues to help make it a success.