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Take a look back at the Nebraska State Fair

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By L. KENT WOLGAMOTT / Lincoln Journal Star

Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 - 12:59:07 am CDT

Today, the Nebraska State Fairgrounds is filled with people, enjoying the 139th edition of the fair.

Two years from now, the fairgrounds will be empty. The Nebraska State Fair is moving to Grand Island in 2010, ending a run in Lincoln that has lasted for more than a century.

It’s impossible to sum up the history and impact of the fair in Lincoln in just a few paragraphs. Pictures, however, can tell much of that story while bringing back memories for some and illuminating history for others.

Story Photo
Fairgoers ride the Yoyo at the 1987 Nebraska State Fair. (Journal Star file photo)

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Journal Star photo editor Ted Kirk selected the images that appear here using a simple criterion: “Just the ones that are the most fun.”

Journal Star files contain photos dating back to the 1890s. But the earliest images are rather dull — for example, photographs of buildings. So there aren’t any pictures from the 1800s in Kirk’s selection.

But there are images from the 1910s and 1920s that, in some respects, show a far different fair from what is taking place today.

Still, showing animals, racing cars and riding rides have remained fair staples for decades.

In two years, Grand Island will become the fifth city to host the fair.

Nebraska City in 1859 hosted the only territorial fair ever held in the United States and was the site of the first two Nebraska State Fairs in 1868 and 1869. The fair then shifted to Brownville for two years before moving to Lincoln and Omaha, which shared the fair until 1899 when the Legislature designated Lincoln as the permanent State Fair location.

Permanent, however, doesn’t last forever. The fair is leaving Lincoln after next year to make room for a University of Nebraska research and development campus.

So as you think about heading out for a corn dog, a ride on the Ferris wheel or a walk through the barns, we hope you enjoy this look back at the State Fair over the years.


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josie wrote on August 24, 2008 2:36 am:
" please write a book on the history of the nebraska state fair. include hundeds of photos. i won't be able to attend this year but will definitely go next year for a last walk down memory lane so to speak. my parents farmed in cass county and my father was very active in showing livestock at the fair as well as being a 4-H leader. it would be nice if someone could share all of the photos on record. "

 Not Sure wrote on August 24, 2008 10:03 am:
" I am sad that the fair is moving from Lincoln. I am sad that I will not be able to enjoy the traditional atmosphere that is here today. I will say, however, that the costs associated with the fair are truly out of control. As a family of 4, we spent about about $150 on Saturday. That was including the kids getting in for free. We noticed that most of the rides factor at about $4-$5 per ride. Armbands are a must. With the fair going to GI and the cost of hotels/gas and the fair itself, it will probably make alot of the populous (Lincoln, Omaha) take a second look at the "is it worth it" decision. Anyhow, I for one have opposed it moving, but I do understand why and since UNL thinks it needs a research campus I can only assume that future tuition is surely rise as well to help pay for the it. Either way, I guess I will always pay for the grounds. "

 Jim wrote on August 24, 2008 5:49 pm:
" I took my family to the Iowa State Fair this year for the second time. You would not believe the difference between Neb and Iowa fairs. The facilities are amazing and their "blue ribbon foundation" received a single $3 million donation the day we were there. Apparently, they have money to burn and it shows. They had over 1 milllion in attendance and set another attendance record. I would recommend anyone in Eastern Neb to attend the fair in Des Moines next year for a great experience. "

 Straight Thinker wrote on August 24, 2008 9:59 pm:
" I, too, took my family to the Iowa State Fair this year. I counted 14 different radio stations all broadcasting live from the Fair. Even on Sunday morning! I was there on a Sunday...was hard to move in places.. I have photos of the sea of humanity on the main street and the view from the permanent Sky Rides. Iowans SUPPORT their Fair and they GO! Everyone, just goes..there is little thought to class distinctions between people..they just all go! They got $7 to park and $10 apiece for us to get in...and nobody complained at all..no seething bloggers whining. Just an entire state having a great time!! The Butter Cow and seeing the antiques in use and the massive food choices..well, it makes our Fair look tiny in comparison. The Fair Board need to go to Des Moines to see how a REAL Fair is done. "

 UPSET wrote on August 25, 2008 2:00 am:
" there has been a group of people working on getting rid of the fair in lincoln for a number of years. The animal shows have all be left the fair grounds, the farmers machines have left, what is really left to go and see anymore. I guess they have done their job well. I will never go to the fair once it leaves lincoln. Thanks people, long line of history gone!! "

 were sure wrote on August 25, 2008 3:31 am:
" Not Sure: You might be sad that the fair is moving west, but those of us living out here are glad that there is another venue to showcase a part of Nebraska outside of Lincoln or Omaha. Think about it, if we want to see semi-pro baseball, we have to travel. If we want to see college football, we have to travel. When our children work hard and make it to NSAA championships, we have to travel. When you figure a family of 4 wants to see atleast 2 of these events every year, then go figure the cost of travel, overnight stays, not to mention the cost of tickets and food. You should be thankful that you are not living in Chadron! Thanks GI for making the Fair more accessible to everyone in the state!

PS, Josie, what a wonderful idea! I have many wonderful memories of the fair, it would be fun to re-live them. "

 Overtaxed wrote on August 25, 2008 9:01 am:
" It's not hard to understand why the Iowa fair is booming. Iowa has lower property taxes, lower gas tax, lower income tax, and it's your choice tax, gambling. People in Iowa have more to celebrate. "

 Jeremy wrote on August 25, 2008 9:05 am:
" I am glad to see the state fair is going to move to a central location in Nebraska...It will make it easier for people in western Nebraska to be a part of it without having to go broke to do it !! Besides change is good !! GOOD JOB NEBRASKA way to be thinking !!!! "

 How Sad wrote on August 25, 2008 9:16 am:
" I took my son and a friend to the state fair yesterday, and I have to say, I was not impressed. I grew up in Iowa, and we never went to the Iowa state fair because it was too far to travel for our family. We did however go to our county fair every year. Walking through the gates at the NE state fair, I thought I was back in Iowa, going to the county fair. Our county fair was either the same size or larger than the NE state fair. How sad.

I also was outraged at the prices for the rides. I wanted to buy the wristband for my son and his friend, and was told that they don’t sell them after 5, and it was 4:45. The woman in the ticket booth said that their clock said it was 5, so I spent $75, for 60 tickets, which came out to 6 rides each, since all the rides take 5 tickets. I guess its how they make their money, but I will never again go to the NE state fair. "

 Pointing a finger... wrote on August 25, 2008 12:06 pm:
" If there is one group responsible for this it's the Fair Board, not Vision 2015 or UNL. They used the Fair Grounds for their private little playground for years, and their position on the Board to impress their friends, but did nothing to improve the Fair at all, not even when the state gave them Lottery money. Forward thinkers in Lincoln had no choice other than to give the land to UNL, so that it could be used for SOMETHING worthwhile. So it's obvious what's going to happen with the Fair if this same Board is involved with it in GI - sorry folks. "

 Nina wrote on August 25, 2008 12:50 pm:
" Another blast from the past for me was being in the Nebraska State Fair Queen contest in 1962. The winner daily paraded throughout the fairgrounds in a formal, sitting on the back of a convertible (red '59 Cadillac, oh my, was an image that impressed me) and was introduced at every major fair event. Considerations for the winning choice were academic and extracurricular achievement, volunteerism record, and 4-H or FFA activites. It didn't hurt to look good, either. Alas, I was a runner-up only, but it was a big deal at the time. "

 Rhonda wrote on August 26, 2008 9:13 am:
" I see all the comments down grading the fair and complaining about the cost of food and rides, if your going to the fair for the food and rides your missing the point. The cost of the rides is not set by the fair board, it is set by the company providing the rides, with a portion going to the fair. It is so sad that people don't take the time to experience the fair for what it is, there are plenty of free or cheap things to do at the fair, if you really take the time to learn about what your doing. We travel to the Iowa State fair and yes it is by far a better fair, always has been always will be, but those that say how great the building are and the money they have need to check out where they got their money. The state gave them a pot of money to renovate buildings, a lot bigger pot then our state gives the fair. Comparing the Nebraska State Fair or any state fair to the Iowa State fair is like comparing the apples and oranges. The Nebraska State fair is a fun and exciting time if you take the time to see what the fair is all about and don't just go to ride rides and eat food on a stick. "

 Nobody wrote on August 27, 2008 11:35 am:
" I used to love the fair. Then it got more and more commercialized. Once it moves to Grand Island it will be to far to go in my opinion. It was fun while it lasted. Bye, State Fair. "

 Two years from now wrote on August 27, 2008 12:34 pm:
" There will expensive University buildings for a research and development center that most people will STILL not be able to afford to send their kids to because of the skyrocketing costs. This will make attending the University that much more expensive and forcing people to find other credible alternatives such as SCC. I'm so glad the University built that nice multi-million dollar Quilt Research & Study center. God knows there are more incurable quilt diseases than Cancer and Aids combined. "

 sweetpea wrote on August 30, 2008 11:36 am:
" I took my son to the state fair last night and was not impressed at all. What happened to all the rides? The Prices of games and ect. are so outrageous no-one wants to do anything. We have 1 year of the fair and we should take the fair out in a big bang fun time not like the fair was this year. Yes I for 1 is not happy the fair is moving. My son loves the fair and after next year probably wont go so its moving. Lincoln needs to stop taking family things away from us. "

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