Nebraska State Fair Celebrates Growth in Key Areas for 2024

The Nebraska State Fair recently announced a successful 2024 event, with increased attendance and participation across multiple categories, highlighting the fair’s strong showcase of Nebraska’s agricultural heritage and its talented youth.

This year, the fair welcomed a total attendance of 314,844, a rise of nearly 2% compared to 2023.

“We are excited to see such growth across the board,” said Jaime Parr, Executive Director of the Nebraska State Fair. “From increased participation in agricultural exhibits to greater engagement in competitive events, the 2024 fair was a fantastic celebration of the hard work and talents of people from all across our state.”

Agriculture Department Sees Significant Gains

The agricultural exhibits saw considerable growth, with many categories experiencing substantial increases in participation:

Beef cattle entries rose by nearly 200.
Boer goats saw an increase of 105 entries.
Dairy goats made a huge leap, with 465 more entries than in 2023.

Competitive Exhibits and 4-H Shine

The fair also saw growth in competitive exhibits:

Agricultural products were up by more than 220 entries.
Photography increased by 120 entries.
Horticulture saw a significant boost with nearly 400 entries over 2023.

The Nebraska 4-H program was a standout once again, with exhibitors from all 93 counties represented at the Nebraska State Fair.

The addition of the Live Bee Box, the continuation of Plein Air, and numerous demonstrations throughout the event drew large crowds into the 4-H/FFA Building. These features, combined with longstanding traditions, offered engaging and educational experiences for all ages.

“The commitment to the fair, from our staff and volunteers, is undeniable,” added Parr. “It’s a fantastic achievement to see participation numbers this high as we showcase the incredible talents of Nebraskans. We cannot wait to see what 2025 brings for new and returning exhibitors at the State Fair.”

The Nebraska State Fair staff is now transitioning into the Aksarben Stock Show, a regional livestock show bringing in more than 40,000 visitors to Grand Island. The Aksarben Stock Show runs September 26-29 at Fonner Park in Grand Island.