By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer
It’s August. You might notice the crispness in the air or the slight yellowing of the leaves or maybe even the wafting fragrance of roasting meat. Sounds of bustling crowds and the excitement of children surround you. It’s once again time for the Nebraska State Fair.
When Nebraskans think of our yearly state fair celebration, we think of lemonade, ears of corn, family-friendly outings, or reconnecting with friends. But it was not always so.
Nebraska’s first state fair was held in 1859, eight years before we became a state. At this time, it was a small agricultural production called the Nebraska Territorial Fair. The first fair was hosted by Nebraska City, a very new and small town.
The question of who would host our state fair loomed larger as the years went on. Between 1872 and 1901, the location of the fair created a rivalry between Omaha and Lincoln.
One article from the Lincoln Courier in 1895 said, “It has been a rare treat to the people of Omaha. They have gazed at the pumpkins and beets and corn and imagined they were farmers. They have caught the fresh breeze of the plains from the western cowboys. They have set-up counterfeit kings and queens and princesses.”
Lincoln did win the competition in 1901 and held the state fair there for over a century. In 2010, the event moved permanently to Grand Island, its current location.
As time progressed, so did the entertainment. The fair introduced chariot races in the 1880s and even the Aksarben pageant in 1895. Our array of unique events included auto racing and acrobatics—but nothing was as novel as our aviation shows.
A member of the Wright Brothers Flying Team, Arch Hoxsey, made history at the 1910 Nebraska State Fair. He made several flights during the event, but eventually crashed into an animal barn in the first ever airplane crash in our state.
As much as entertainment has advanced across the years, the origins of the Nebraska State Fair have not been forgotten. Nebraska takes great pride in the agricultural roots of our state. We were built from the ground up by farmers and ranchers. The initial purpose of our State Fair was to provide an opportunity for Nebraska farmers to gather and connect about issues of the day. In the early days, they would walk through the grounds to meet other farmers, building relationships and learning from those around them.
Today, at its heart, our fair is not so different. We still show livestock, maybe with a little more flair than the 1800s. And we still have our crop exhibitions. We have embraced our roots and found innovative ways to educate and entertain our communities.
And our young people have truly embraced the Nebraska spirit. Our exhibit halls are filled with their projects, and our barns and show rings are filled with their livestock. These are the future leaders and ag producers of our state.
The Nebraska State Fair is a vital part of our history. It represents the people and customs of Nebraska, our values and principles, and our dedication to our roots. As always, I look forward to visiting the Nebraska State Fair!