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State Fair vendors share thoughts on fair move

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BY ART HOVEY / Lincoln Journal Star

Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 - 12:46:59 am CDT

If you’re a veteran of the vending business, the Nebraska State Fair is mostly about sales volume and the friendships you’ve built through good times and bad.

Perhaps that helps explain the reservations expressed Friday on opening day by Gary Percival, Phyllis Westmoreland and others about the fair leaving Lincoln for Grand Island after 2009.

“It makes me really sad,” said Westmoreland, who’s been selling fair food here for 40 years and has five stands this year dispensing corn dogs, funnel cakes and cotton candy.

Story Photo
Stephen Gordon replaces the light bulbs on the Pineapple Whip stand in preparation for the 2008 Nebraska State Fair. The 139th edition of the fair opened 5 p.m. Friday and will run through Labor Day. (Eva Barajas)

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Saturday at the fair

* For full fair schedule: www.statefair.org

* Midway open, 11 a.m. to close. $22 wristbands, noon to 5 p.m.

* Open Air Auditorium concert: Lorrie Morgan and Tracy Bird, 7 p.m.

* Grandstand: Extreme Monster Truck Nationals, 2 and 5 p.m. Admission: adults, $7; children 6-12, $2; 5 and under, free. (Gate admission not included.)

* Gate admission: Weekends, Labor Day - Adults, $8 all day. Children 6-12, $2; 5 and under, free.

* Plan your day: At www.statefair.org, the Create Your Day and Food Finder tool has an events calendar that allows you to select and then print a custom daily schedule. Also: where to find your favorite fair foods.

* Free shuttle service: Weekends, Labor Day only, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Board buses at Bed, Bath & Beyond, 5040 N. 27th St., or at North 27th Street Plaza, 3901 N. 27th St.

* Saturday’s special: U.S. Senate debate with candidates Mike Johanns, Scott Kleeb and Steve Larrick, 11 a.m., Open Air Auditorium.

* Saturday’s hint: University of Nebraska Medical Center faculty and students are providing free health screenings daily in the Devaney Center. Hours: weekends, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday-Thursday, 4-7 p.m. Screenings available every day: facial sun damage, colon cancer, blood pressure, body mass. Other screenings: prostate cancer (Saturday, Sunday, Aug. 29-31); oral cancer (Saturday, Sunday); total cholesterol (Saturday, Sunday, Aug. 29-31); glucose (Aug. 22, 25, 28, Sept. 1).

“Lincoln has always been my favorite fair,” said the woman who circulates among nine of them from her base of operation in Queen City, Texas. “I’m not telling you it’s my biggest fair, but it’s my favorite fair.”

The object of her affection began its 11-day run Friday with opening ceremonies, an open-air concert performance by country western crooner Miranda Lambert, and a sense of a clock ticking on the transformation of State Fair Park into a research campus anchored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The sense of something slipping away hasn’t given Percival, an Oxford, Neb., resident and a seller of chocolate nut sundaes on a stick for the last 25 years, any thoughts of making next year his last year, even though he’ll lose his familiar spot across from the administration building.

He’ll be in Grand Island in 2010. “I’ll always stand behind the fair,” he said.

That’s not to say he feels convinced it’s the right choice.

“Change is always good,” he said, “but I don’t know if it’s the right change for the fair.”

More people could be expected to come to Lincoln, he said, because there’s more to see while they’re here, including the Capitol and university.

Over at the administration building Friday, the State Fair Board had a whole range of more immediate concerns, including coordinating the color of the polo shirts they would wear to the 6 p.m. ribbon-cutting.

The monthly board meeting lasted less than an hour before giving way to a tour of the grounds.

Board President Jerry Fitzgerald of Gering told his peers that site-surveying was under way at Fonner Park in Grand Island as a step toward a $42 million upgrade.

Afterward, Fitzgerald said he hoped to progress to a full-scale construction plan by February or March. Decisions about numbers of buildings and sizes of buildings are already fairly advanced.

Spacing between buildings and layouts of buildings are more tentative, though “there’s only so many ways you can tie a critter to a wall.”

Four years ago, as Nebraskans got ready to pass Amendment 4 and its annual infusion of money into the fairgrounds budget from the Nebraska Lottery, that budget was about $1 million in the red.

As of Friday, there’s about $2.4 million in reserve.

That would buy a lot of car decals from Patrick Lelii, who was on a vending mission from Austin, Texas.

Lelii didn’t sound too concerned about finding a suitable base of operations in Grand Island.

“I think you’re missing half the state,” he said. “If you lived in North Platte, would you come here?”

Reach Art Hovey at 473-7223 or ahovey@journalstar.com.


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Sorry wrote on August 22, 2008 8:17 pm:
" Hope the vendors can weather low turnout and sales when the fair moves. It'll never make it in GI. I know, I won't go. "

 Expensive wrote on August 22, 2008 9:03 pm:
" $8 to get into the fair is so expensive, even for the low-income people who may want to check it out. Plus the food is unhealthy which I would never waste my money on it. The games are a rip-off also unless you have young kids. "

 clarence wrote on August 22, 2008 9:43 pm:
" In future years you folks in eastern nebraska need to come to the Iowa State Fair. Just broke the attendance record again. Over a million showed up. "

 To Expensive wrote on August 22, 2008 9:47 pm:
" Go to a movie and you will pay $8 bucks and probably not learn anything. Spend $5 to get into the fair before 5 pm so you can see and learn something about Nebraska. "

 tony wrote on August 23, 2008 3:14 am:
" moving away from 2/3 of the population of the state is just plain stupid, simply to apeal to a few people. I guess the move is wise considering that the organizers have attempted to shove country music down our throats for years. The word tradition seems to be lacking, as do decent vendors, The last time I was at the fair there were 15-20 hot tub vendors in the Devany center alone. They should move husker harvest days to Lincoln then, Once that opened the fair started to decline. you know for those living in Omaha, Des Moines is nearly as far as Grand Island, plus they have more to do there. "

 Omaha wrote on August 23, 2008 6:16 am:
" I've enjoyed going to Lincoln for the fair. Doubt I'll make the drive to GI, just isn't a very appealing place to go. I'll be more likely to check out the Iowa fair for once. Thanks greedy UNL for putting an end to a long standing tradition. "

 JB wrote on August 23, 2008 6:35 am:
" My daughter has seven 4-H projects at the state fair this year, but don't think I will waste the money to see them. Saw all her projects at the county fair here for free. Should have lowered the enterance charge to get more people out. "

 Sorry Charlie wrote on August 23, 2008 9:32 am:
" The fair will be fine - it isn't like it has flourished in Lincoln as it has been losing money constantly. Also, if you look at the number of people who actually paid to get in, that puts it in even better perspective. Having the Fair in GI will mean new facilities and the chance for more people to get to the Fair from other parts of the state. I live in Lincoln and don't go the Fair often but I will go to GI to check it out and give it some support. "

 d wrote on August 23, 2008 9:48 am:
" I live by ashland and it is 2 1/2 hours to go to the Iowa state fair or an hour 1/2 to get to GI. I think I'll take up Clarence's offer and take the family to Iowa from now on for 3 days "

 Fair Lover wrote on August 23, 2008 10:18 am:
" I love the Fair! Where else can you find a 400# woman buying a fried block of cheese on a stick?! "

 Ana wrote on August 23, 2008 10:26 am:
" As a reply to the last comment in the article that asks whether people from North Platte would drive to Lincoln, I say this: At least some people make the trip from North Platte to Lincoln for the state fair. And when the fair is in G.I., it might actually make less sense for people from the far western part of the state (North Platte & west) to go there. People go to Lincoln to go to the fair, but I think that they also go there to do other things in Lincoln. For example, people may come to Lincoln to go to the fair and go to the football game or go shopping. However, there is not all that much going on in GI that would make it worth the time to drive there. "

 Tyler wrote on August 23, 2008 11:11 am:
" Don't even waste the money. It is sad to say, but the State Fair should just close. Why spend the $42mil? I enjoy going to the State Fair once or twice a year, but I know I won't drive to GI in 2010. The fair has always had attendence issues, and the only reason it is still open is that it gets the money from the lottery. What are the attendence projections for GI? I can't imagine that moving it 2 hours further west of 2/3 the population in the state is going to increase attendence! The sate fair will die in GI. Spend the $42mil on something that will make a difference in the state, not just throw it away. "

 yikes wrote on August 23, 2008 11:30 am:
" I would be pretty disappointed if one of my parents wouldn't shell out 8 bucks to see my entries in the State Fair. That's sad. "

 Anne wrote on August 23, 2008 11:37 am:
" What happens to the Amendment 4 money? I voted to support the State Fair in Lincoln. I didn't vote to support moving to GI. "

 p wrote on August 23, 2008 11:50 am:
" what happens to the attendance when folks come to a football game and then usually go the fair on the same day? "

 Used to live in NP... wrote on August 23, 2008 12:02 pm:
" Actually, I grew up in North Platte and as a matter of fact WE DID drive to Lincoln every year for the fair...so did a lot of other North Platter's. We looked forward to the trip...it got us out of town for a few days and we got to spend time in Lincoln which was always fun.
I have spoken with friends and relatives that still live in the NP, GI area and NONE of them think the fair will do well in GI. Do you see record attendance at Nebraska Land Days??? NOOOOO!
Anyway, I just think it sucks ever since I moved to Lincoln in 2005 it seems all the little things that drew me here are slowly slipping away. Everything from better work opportunities to the Starship 9 movies and now the Fair. Lincoln needs to get it's act together...UNL is a wonderful thing but believe it or not it is not the ONLY thing people in Lincoln care about.
Good Luck to the fair...I will miss you...but I look foward to trying out the IOWA STATE FAIR...thanks for the idea Clarence :) "

 Buh bye wrote on August 23, 2008 12:02 pm:
" Good riddance. Now we won't have to worry about dodging Farmer Jones on the streets of Lincoln and get to where we need to go. "

 GEE wrote on August 23, 2008 1:07 pm:
" Buh Bye needs a wake up call and appreciate Farmer Jones. Its comments like those that have hurt Lincoln. Lincoln, as the capital, should always be gracious to those who visit. Just allow yourself a little more time to get where you need to go. And smile, visitors to this city are taking the time out of their busy schedules, to visit the capital city and spend their dollars here. If they didn't, your taxes would go up even higher! "

 gary k wrote on August 23, 2008 1:33 pm:
" i willnever be the same as going to lincoln to the fair been going since 1970 havent missed a year theres just no way gi can hold such a avent
the fair is where my kids all showed in 4 h and my grand kids are startin to it just wont be th e same as don tknow if i willgo i love lincoln theres nothin in gi to do why lincoln let it leave so many things to do there in lincoln "

 ne born wrote on August 23, 2008 1:33 pm:
" I have live in Nebraska the majority of my life and I can count on one hand the number of times I have been to the fair. I lived within 40 minutes of it. It has always been too expensive. I definitely will not drive to Grand Island for it. There is absolutely nothing to attract me there. I lived within 40 miles of there for a couple years and that was long enough. At least in Lincoln fair goers can go to the mall or the capital or see other attractions. Grand Island definitely does not have that to offer. "

 rac wrote on August 23, 2008 2:35 pm:
" I can't stand the Fair and think it should fold right now and save the State a lot of money, but I have to agree with "yikes" - what kind of parent are you to not go see your kids entries in the STATE Fair??? I agree $8 is eight bucks too much for what the avg. Lincolnite gets there, but come on, dissing your kid like that? And people wonder where kids learn to disrespect people... "

 Pro Freedom wrote on August 23, 2008 6:42 pm:
" I love the Nebraska State Fair and every State Fair I have ever been to brings something different and fun. Iowa State Fair costs $10 for adults to get in and if you wanted to see Led Zepplin it was $40 a ticket, plus gate fees. I will be going to see a couple of the open air concerts at the Nebraska State Fair and it will only cost me $8 to get in the gate and see the show.

If you want to have fun and enjoy the fair, you will. If you go with a negative attitude and complain about everything, you won't have a good time.

It is up to you to make your experiences worth your while. So put on a happy face and start enjoying life. "

 LeRoy wrote on August 23, 2008 11:45 pm:
" I have be thinking about the move to G.I.for a long time now I'll miss the State Fair. At one time it ment life and death to me. I plan my summer around it. You see I used to show ponies at the Fair then I march in a bands at the Fair. Then one day at the Fair I was on a ride that fell and I was hurt ( I fell about 45') along with many other people and four of them was killed there. Every year since that I would go to the fair to say a little prayer for the people that was killed. At one time I would make a point to be there the same time of day on the date but then they changed the dates of the Fair, Now I just go to the place where the mishap happened. So you see it is a life and death experience to me.
I've only missed one year and that was because I was out of town on buisness. Yes, I do beleive that change is good but the State Fair should be in the home location of the very first one. My grandfather was at the first one and I know that he and all the other men and women that made the first would be rolling in their graves to think that it would be move to some other city that right here in Lincoln. I know that then we started Husker Harvest Days in G.I. they said that the farmer would be happier if it was in a city in the western part of Nebraska and they was proably right but they took all of the farm machinery out to that venue. Now the farmer, that we need to have for a good State Fair, no longer need to come so there fore the wives,childern and freinds or also not coming.
Yes, I will miss the State Fair and no I will not go to Grand Island to something that I feel was stolen, legally, away from Lincoln.
Grand Island I hope you the best of luck and if it was up to me I would ship you the University also. "

 max wrote on August 24, 2008 2:19 am:
" I think that Mr. Purlman should not have a vote on the fair board as long as UNL is involved. Most would call that a conflict of intrest. As always UNL gets what they want at our cost. "

 Amber wrote on August 24, 2008 1:20 pm:
" While most of you are against the move of the fair to Grand Island,Dawson county and all the surrounding counties are very excited. Surveys done have shown two thirds of Nebraskans do not currently attend the State fair due to location. It's going to happen so lets all be suppotive.My family have never been to the State fair, Now it will be in the middle of the state so everyone can enjoy. "

 disappointed wrote on August 24, 2008 9:54 pm:
" We just recently moved to Lincoln and this was our first trip to the NE State Fair. Watching the newspaper, I thought this was going to be the best thing since sliced bread. We are a middle-classed working family with two young children and thought we'd have a fun-filled day today. This is the last time we ever go to the State Fair, regardless of the location. It cost us $24 (one kid was free) just to get into the park! The kids could only go on a few rides because of the ridiculous price for tickets $25 for 20 tickets and 80% of the rides were 5 tickets a piece. On top of that, the rides were short and the workers were very unpersonable. Every vendor had ridiculously high priced food and drinks (and we came from Dallas and I'm saying this). Every 10 yards we'd walk, we'd have to pay for something here or there. The only free fun we had was walking through the livestock barn and watching the canine show. And really, that wasn't free if you consider the $24 entry fee. We could of packed the kids up, gone to Kansas City and went to Worlds of Fun for the same money we spent today (and I'm including gas mileage) So, I really don't feel a bit bad for these vendors that are crying about the fair moving. And, by looking at the economy factors surrounding G.I., I don't see a lot of people from that area paying $6 for a glass of lemonade and $7 for chicken on a stick. "

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