We enjoy the fair every year. We understand that each year is different but that s ok. This year will be different too. It s a time for 4-H and FFA kids to shine. Masks are not a big deal and keep people alive.
We were so excited to see the concert but was extremely disappointed by the over booked, disorganized venue.
We did not enjoy the concert and probably with this experience will not
attend another outdoor concert at the Nebraska State Fair.
We waited in line for an hour and a half (1.5 hours) when we got into the
concert the opening act was already done playing and we were probably two hundred yards from the stage. The screens were terrible and we could not hear well. So others around us could not hear either so were visiting and laughing. Making it more difficult to enjoy.
The eight o'clock concert started at 9:20 p.m. and we walked out at 9:45
p.m. We walked back through the fair and seen it was over by 10:30 at the latest.
If you enjoy a good time out and like putting your money into good experiences...Don't plan on going to any concerts here. The staff are clueless on managing crowds and lines, I'm sure this spirals down from whoever takes charge of planning, but wow, it was a disaster! Over an hour waiting in line because the one line turned into 6 different ones merging into one. They over sold the tickets. Then 30 minutes into the concert the staff are telling people they can't stand during the concert....What the what?! It's an outdoor concert! Nowhere on their website or the tickets did it say no standing.
Bottom line, don't waste your time. It was such a disappointment. They are ill-equipped to deal with such large crowds. The entire experience was awful
The volunteers are amazing! The campground shuttle drivers are so considerate of different guests special needs and remember people from year to year. The fair's ability to adapt to the weather and bring in more buses last minute is very commendable! Great time!
My experience would have been better if they would have actually lead u to the overflow parking lot not a parking lot for the venders and handicapped people. They had the front parking lot blocked off and then told u to park on the streets for overflow parking
Considering they built this fair in 1 year (including the winter) I think that was amazing in itself, give a little credit where credit is due! The Fair is a tradition with family, friends, neighbors, out of town people, livestock people & many indoor & outdoor vendors who bring alot of revenue to Grand Island. C'Mon to the Fair & see what's new this year!!
The NE State Fair is a disappointment. Lack of innovation to attract new comers and vendors. The attractions is mediocre and so are the entertainer lineups. For the same driving distance to Iowa SF. I get more bang for my money over there or better yet, head 6 hours north to MN for their Grand State Fair of all State Fair here in the MidWest!
Great time! Great Fair! Great food! Try it you will like it!
I haven't been to the fair since it's been in Lincoln, I was extremely disappointed today. There were way less rides, seemed like they didnt have many animals to look at, employees were rude, overcrowded music shows, no parking, way overpriced food (I know it was like that in Lincoln too.) I will definitely not be back unless they make it as good as Lincoln was.
Have been to the State Fair every year since it moved to Grand Island. They are doing a great job with the event.
For the most part I enjoyed the 2018 State Fair. It did seem to have about the same displays and exhibits as last year. There are a LOT of exhibits to enjoy, good food and good free entertainment as there were at least ten or twenty entertainment tents and entertainers out roaming around. After spending much of the day walking around and looking at stuff and watching enterainment, it was time to wind down and we visited the new party tent on the south side of the grounds. Beer was reasonably priced, good live music on a big stage and had a few side things to do like bull riding and games. All and all it is worth the trip, and I will probaly visit again before the fair runs it's course to see what I missed.
One thing I did not like about the fair was one free exhibit called the Semisaurus trailer. It was a disinformation project and there is no indication what it is before you enter the trailer. Before you go inside it appears as if it has some kind of animated dinosaurs inside, nothing is said to you or posted on the outside that it is a religious re-education display. No animated dinosaurs inside. Before entering they give you headphones for the tour and a player. Once you get inside, the door shuts, people stand in front and behind you and you are stuck inside for a while, 20 minutes or so. I turned on the player and quickly discovered that dinosaurs did indeed exist in the 1800's, and evolution and science is a big lie, as proven by the bible. I liked the semi trucks parked on top of Noah's ark! I wonder of Noah's ark had cell phones and TV? Once we and others realized that we were duped we wanted out, but it was very crowded inside and there were surveillance cameras everywhere. You can't leave for a while as people in front blocked us from leaving so you might as well put up with the recorded stories and video displays.
What can I say about a fairgrounds? It is what it is.
Expensive, unhealthy food. Scary people. Carnies! Tractors. A car was broken into near ours - I heard that's a regular occurrence.
Overall, just a state fair.
I want to go to the state fair but can't cause Fonner park won't let me on so I can never go to the fair ever again
I'm not sure if the State Fair got new officials this year.....but it is not as good as years past.... The whole moving things around and no public announcements on the intercom system is just not the same....
Remember the character of the Lincoln Nebraska state fair? Remember how they had beautiful trees and antique buildings? Well this has non of that it's no more than a parking lot they have a sky lift that is barley ever used do you know why because it's a parking lot there's no scenery no class this paints out state as just one big farm
Celebrating 150 years, the Nebraska State Fair is the best in the USA! So much entertainment and education within an easy walking area. The Kubota Rough Stock rodeo was added this year and was the most entertaining rodeo I've seen. Laughed and cheered through the entire time. This Nebraska State Fair has entertainment galore along with the exhibits to be judged, plus a new common area with a painting to celebrate our 150 years. This State Fair was relocated to Grand Island, a more central place in the state, in 2010. My home has been in this city for 40 years and I am proud to say it has been great for the economy here. My photos are from our tram ride to the rodeo with a rainbow over the entire area as well as the rodeo and the sunset over the fair buildings.
We really enjoyed what we could do. But bought expensive ClickHeat products (heat products to apply to pain); which require boiling in a large pan for probably 20 minutes afterward, with cloths inside pan so they don't touch pan (so you can boil out crystals and reuse). "Very disgusted" with this and is deceptive. Can't imagine other seniors liking this process either.
2018 State Fair is the beginning of the end in grand island. Why spend money all these years developing things like non stop fun passes and smart apps and public announcements and then just eliminate them? So many bad choices made this year by the fair board. But apparently they dont give **** because they have not responded to a single post or comment on any media site from disgruntled people.
The buses were a nightmare. They were overcrowded and there was no enough of them. The food vendors were all the same as every year. Concerts were a disappointment.
Quality of entertainment has gone down, year after year. Staff is rude, Duck race was more like duck bowling (kids throwing ducks), pig race was stupid. Only positive is the food. Probably won't be back, nor will the family.
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY ON THE DEMO DERBY. I was extremely disappointed this year. Started a half hour late, unorganized, lasted way too long and just plain boring. Granted it was only $10. per ticket to attend the event I wish I wouldn't have spent the money on a derby that has continued to go down hill for the last few years. One of the fairs many sponsors is Mike's Hard Lemonade/Black Cherry (Nebraska Land Distributing) but is not available at the derby?! If this is a sponsor I would think it should be available at all the events where alcohol is sold. Kind of a no brainer I would think. I know next year I will not make a special trip to the fair to watch the derby. It would just be a complete waste of time and money.
Waste of money, waste of a trip. After getting in line for the Fair and waiting 10 minutes, a staff member was walking through the lines making change for people to speed up the process and she told me they only accept cash, which we didn't have and didn't see any signs stating as such. So I had to run inside and find the nearest ATM which none of the staff were able to point me to. We then got back into the long line and once we reached the ticket booth, the girl in front of us paid with a card. Imagine that.
If you enjoy a good time out and like putting your money into good experiences...Don't plan on going to any concerts here. The staff are clueless on managing crowds and lines, I'm sure this spirals down from whoever takes charge of planning, but wow, it was a disaster! Over an hour waiting in line because the one line turned into 6 different ones merging into one. They over sold the tickets. Then 30 minutes into the concert the staff are telling people they can't stand during the concert....What the what?! It's an outdoor concert! Nowhere on their website or the tickets did it say no standing.
Bottom line, don't waste your time. It was such a disappointment. They are ill-equipped to deal with such large crowds. The entire experience was awful.
The concert ticket prices don't include the entry fee and the employees don't even know where to direct you for the concert. I was left wondering why they charge $12 for entry when they don't have signs directing where the concert is.
Very disappointed that the State Fair board is taking over the job from the Chamber of Commerce. The volunteer coordinator has always done such a wonderful job. She always made us feel needed and appreciated . I thing that is a huge mistake taking over. The volunteer coordinator is irreplaceable
We enjoyed our trip to the State Fair. Would have liked to see more vendors of food and merchandise for household items. And more rest benches to rest for us older people. Really liked the shuttles and the friendly bus drivers. Keep up the great work.
Everything is here that makes Nebraska special. Great variety of good. So many free shows to see. Loved the animals. Lots of rides.
Why does it take HOURS to get into the Pentatonix concert?! Shouldn't this go smoothly? -asking for the thousands of people waiting in line when it was supposed to start 4 minutes ago
Disappointing to not have the children s museum there. Really nothing for children 3 and under to do. The rides they were too small. Need to have more shows like twiggy for the family. What they did have was a grocery store. Kids go with parents everyday.
Not impressed. Handicap parking, however you no shuttle from overflow parking so walk was a long ways. Also could use water misters and more benches for the elderly.
Was there on Sunday August 27 with my kids and mother what a wonderful time we had free shows are awesome if you watch what you do it can be very entertaining for not to much money.....
statefair.org
