I really enjoyed my time here at the fair grounds. We really only came for the rides and to see some animals. The carnival is perfect for young kids. My 9 and 6 year old had a blast riding over 20 kid friendly rides, and using the all day game pass made it super affordable. The kids enjoyed the time on the sky tram and we explored the livestock buildings. Super fascinating and really nebraskan. We strolled through some of the enterainment tents and the shoppings. I got a burger from cactus jacks and it was fantastic! There is so much to do at the fair and we really only scratched the surface. I'd definitely recommend going at least once and seeing all the buildings. read more

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to go to Grand Island with my family. GI has been the location of the State Fair for awhile now but this was my first time going since it stopped being in Lincoln. I had such a fun time! Saw tons of animals, people, food, other people's hobbies etc. The best thing I had was a donut burger, giant smoked Turkey leg and those cinnamon almonds. It was a fun time and definitely something I'd recommend to others. It only comes once a year and last just over a week until Labor Day! :D read more

See all

Never been to this state fair before but I'm sure it's usually much more busy with patrons and events. Overall the 2020 event was a good effort and allowed the opportunity to check out the World's Largest Overalls! read more

Nebraska State Fair - Festivals Near Me - Grand Island, Nebraska

How do I roll? For Christmas, I gave my Beloved a total solar eclipse. To be more precise, I gave her a weekend in Denver, and then a week-long road trip that began with eclipse-watching at a spot near Scottsbluff, Nebraska that was in the "path of totality", followed by a week of driving around the prairie, looking for good steak and corn, nice people, and whatever interesting things we might find. ********** While planning our trip, I discovered that the Nebraska State Fair's Opening Day in Grand Island was scheduled during our visit, so I added it to our itinerary. Turns out, I've been spoiled by our San Diego County Fair, the fifth largest fair in North America, surpassed in attendance only by these: - Texas State Fair of Texas - Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - San Antonio Livestock Show & Exhibition - Minnesota State Fair Our fair offers a broad array of exhibits, shows, games and attractions, plus a ton of stuff-on-a-stick. The Young Lover Uniform - fashy haircuts for the boys, Daisy Dukes for the girls - is ubiquitous, and it's interesting to watch families navigate the lines and crowds, led by Dad, spurred on by Mom. Me, I'm there for the elotes. Being much smaller (50th in attendance for all fairs, nationwide), Nebraska's big event was less hectic than ours, and I noted that the Grand Island crowd was better-behaved than San Diego's, with less shoving and shouting among the celebrants. The vibe wasn't exactly the Hollywood depiction of a Midwestern fair, though we were in and out quickly, so it's possible that we missed some midway romance and a prize hog or two, later in the week. ********** Some other notes: - The Birthing Pavilion featured ewes and sows ready to deliver, with due dates staggered so that newborns were on exhibit every day. - I'd gone to the prairie expecting lots of Trump-related nonsense, but found little public idiocy. The worst thing I saw all week was at the Nebraska State Fair, where the right-to-life whackjob exhibit at the Expo Center covered a table with plastic models of fetuses. This was done in a way that children would see, which went beyond inappropriate, edging into disgusting and offensive. But 1A, so whatayagonnado? - One cool thing about the Fair was a parade down the midway featuring local and state officials who no one recognized or applauded (that's not the cool part), and some restored tractors from yesteryear (that's the cool part), which drew the interest and appreciation of the crowd. - Surprisingly, the only corn I could find at the Nebraska State Fair was at a stand called "Manny's Corn-on-a-Stick". Manny sold elotes, which must have seemed a very strange and magical thing to Nebraskans. - My favorite item: The Nebraska State Fair is a no-carry event, a fact that earned it a spot on the "Unfriendly Business List" compiled by the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association. These are the same armed dickheads who gripe that they can't take a gun into their local endoscopy center. It's ok with me that they boycotted the Fair. It made the event feel less 'Murica and much more American. read more

First time at the NE State Fair and it was so great. Well organized and great physical layout. Tons of events and options for a variety of interests. Plenty of shaded areas and indoor options to beat the heat. Family fun area, carnival area, marketplace area, livestock block, grand district. Reasonable prices, typical for state fair. Good entertainment, tons of dining options, lots of local vendors. Very clean with good restrooms and lots of volunteers around. Some really unique attractions as well. Easy to get in/out of from interstate, little traffic issues for a Saturday. Busy but not overwhelming crowds. Highly recommend. read more

they abuse fish !! the owner SQUEEZED my fish and immediately after I got it, it died please report them read more

Nebraska State Fair - Festivals Near Me - Grand Island, Nebraska

We are here competing in a horse event tonight and tomorrow. Waiting, so walked west from Thompson Arena to find food options. Really good burgers we had. Nice everything here and sure better than previous Lincoln location. read more

Horrible would rather go to a county fair. Cost 10 dollars a person to get in and charged for all events even small shows like horse shows and dog shows. As usually food was over priced the only up side was the birthing center seeing the new piglets and the new calf. And watching the pig going into labor .it has become so commercial. Its very sad. read more

Unfortunately, I had to leave the Nebraska State Fair , Sunday morning 08/27/17. My outdoor booth, though secured, was destroyed by the over-night weather Grand Island had. Additionally, I found that the State Fair board could care less and no one was stepping up to help me with what to do. I've been promised calls from the State Fair Manager and hrs later, nothing, nor do I expect they're going to call, as the Fair is superficially set-up very well, yet it's "core" seems to be conservative, greedy and 'rotten' at customer service! (This was shared with me by some volunteer staff.) Update: As of 9am, 08/30, still no contact/response from State Fair Board! Pushed an email to the Fair Mngr and her reply revealed their little cliche had decided my frustration was my problem and not theirs. Nothing but excuses from behind a PC and they had pictures of my destroyed booth, but didn't bother to share or call me until I called them out. read more

I came to the fair to see the Joan Jett concert. The only handicap parking was over a mile walk! This is ridiculous! I am handicap because I can't walk long distances, there need to be handicap accessible parking CLOSE! This was not a handicap accessible event!!! read more