New state fairgrounds almost ready for visitors

GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska -- State Fair-goers will enjoy 500,000 square feet of new exhibit space on new $39 million state fairgrounds that are almost ready for the event two weeks away in its new Grand Island home.

PR and Marketing Director Jana Hafer told the Gazette a new "personal planner" on the fair's website (statefair.org, click "Things to Do and See" then "Daily Calendar" then "Create Your Day") allows visitors to create a personalized itinerary by selecting from among some 150 items per day over the Aug. 27-Sept. 6 event.

Executive Director Joseph McDermott said the new fairground is more compact and accessible, but the KidZone, which will eventually be a "park-like setting," with child-friendly activities, now covers eight acres compared to the 2.5 acres in Lincoln.

Livestock entries are starting to close, he said, and the numbers are up, with 225 draft horses slated to take part.

Increased premiums have helped, he said, and the new climate-controlled venues will help make the show "second to none."

Cooperation of the local community has been phenomenal, they said, with a four-lane road open at Locust Street.

While there will be less parking in Grand Island, six air-conditioned shuttles will carry passengers from remote park-and-ride lots.

The fairgrounds will be much more accessible for handicapped and elderly people, Hafer said.

"Central Nebraska has really pulled together to pull this thing off," McDermott said. "The community involvement is great; we're really rolling the red carpet out for people."

While the fair has only seven full-time employees and three part-timers right now, it will employ 300 people during the event.

Helping out with the preparations are "can-do" volunteer committees of the Grand Island chamber of commerce, who are taking care of things like landscaping and signage.

The chamber estimates the fair's $4.5 million budget will result in a $20 million boost to the area economy.

While Lincoln represented 40 percent of the attendance when the fair was there, officials are hoping special ticket pricing, such a $2 admission Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as $6 advance compared to $8 at the gate, will keep the numbers up.

Attending the fair over Labor Day could make for a great "staycation," Hafer said.

Concerts free with gate admission include Phil Vassar, Lifehouse, Mel Tillis, Casting Crowns, Bobby Layne, Boys Like Girls and Josh Turner. Sunday paid admission concerts include Heart on Aug. 29 and Martina McBride on Sept. 5.

Other attactions include County Fair Day Aug. 28, Festejo Latino Aug. 29, Older Nebraskans Festival Aug. 31 and Veterans Day Celebration Sept. 3. The motorsports track will host monster trucks, lawn mower races, a tractor pull and demolition derby, with other attractions including Belle City Amusements on the midway and the Miss Nebraska State Fair and Miss 1868 pageants. More information is available at StateFair.org