Leaders tout diverse mix of attractions at Nebraska State Fair | Entertainment
GRAND ISLAND — Executive Director Bill Ogg feels good about this year’s Nebraska State Fair, which opens Friday.
“It’s my job to be the cheerleader for the fair,” Ogg said. “But I am genuinely excited about this year’s fair.”
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Concerns about social gatherings due to COVID-19 “are really more behind us than they were last year,” he said. He thinks people are hungry for the ”wholesome social interaction” that the fair delivers.
A lot of big-name country artists are touring the country this summer.
But Ogg is pleased the fair’s entertainment lineup is “diversified enough that people are responding fairly well to our concert offerings.“
Tickets certainly remain, but Ogg said the fair is close to covering the cost to book entertainers as part of its concert lineup.
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The fair hopes to at least break even on its concert costs, which total about $750,000.
“But that’s just one spoke of a large wheel for the fair,” Ogg said.
The numbers look good for open-class exhibits, which will include 3,500-plus entries in the fair’s education department. That’s almost a thousand entries more than 2021, Ogg said.

Flo Rida will perform Saturday, Sept. 3.
The 4-H and FFA livestock entries “are very much on-par with 2021.”
This is the third Nebraska State Fair for Ogg, who has worked at fairs in other states.
One thing that makes Nebraska’s fair different is the income it receives from the Nebraska Lottery.
“It allows us to host a fair that is 40% larger than what we could sustain (through) operating revenues,” Ogg said.
The fair’s $10 million budget includes $4 million in annual lottery funds.
In addition to bringing in attractions, that money allows the fair to provide more in awards and prizes than it would be able to without the funding. “We can do those kind of things without chewing my nails (worrying that) I’m going to make payroll every month,” Ogg said.
Ogg has learned a lot about fairs over the course of his career.
He’s surely learned what works.
“I’ve learned a lot what doesn’t work,” he said, laughing.
While there’s some uncertainty in putting a fair together, Ogg enjoys his job.
“I genuinely love this job,” he says.
Communities can have rodeos, concerts and motor sports events anytime during the year.
But a fair combines those activities with competitive exhibits involving livestock, baking and quilts.
“That’s what makes a fair the attraction and reunion that it is,” Ogg said.
New offerings
Two of the new offerings at this year’s fair combine feats of athleticism with water.

The Flying Fools High Dive Show will be featured three times daily throughout the Nebraska State Fair.
Dogs will run, fly, catch flying discs and swim in the Super Retriever Series show. The canine extravaganza will be the fair’s first weekend. “I think that’s going to be cool,” Ogg said.
Ogg is also excited about the Flying Fools High Dive Show. Tremendous athletes, Ogg said, will dive from 80 feet in the air into 12 feet of water.
Three high-dive shows a day will be presented throughout the fair. Ogg believes that people might want to see the show more than once because “it’s pretty impressive.”
Concerts
For the second year in a row, Happy Together will be the concert at this year’s Older Nebraskans Day.
The concert begins at 2 p.m. on Monday in the Heartland Events Center.

“They were very well-received last year,” Ogg said.
The oldies show brings together eight acts, some of which change each year.
While the Turtles, the Cowsills, Gary Puckett and other acts will be back, some will be different.
Ogg likes the variety of this year’s fair concerts.
A stop in Grand Island was one of more than 50 concerts canceled this year by Lady A. The group made the move to support singer Charles Kelley in his path to sobriety.
Normally, one country entertainer would be replaced by another. But the surplus of strong country acts on tour this year made the fair “think about something totally different,” and “maybe try to attract an audience that has been underserved this summer,” Ogg said.
The fair decided to replace Lady A with Flo Rida on Sept. 3.
After three or four days of tickets sales, “we’ve already sold 70% of the tickets that we had sold for Lady A,” Ogg said. So the response has been “not bad.”
With Flo Rida, “we’ll have the opportunity to entertain and attract some folks who otherwise may not have been motivated to come to the fair,” Ogg said, referring to people in their 20s and 30s.
Four of this year’s concerts will take place outdoors, at an area set up near the Fonner Park racetrack. The only music act at the indoor Heartland Events Center will be Happy Together.
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Beyond the concert series, the fair will feature music, dancing and entertainment in a variety of genres, from polka to Latin music, Ogg said.
More than 4,000 hours of entertainment are presented to fairgoers at no additional cost once they’re on the grounds.
Changes
Organizing a fair each year is a balancing act between keeping things the way they were and doing something new.
Many people, for instance, want to see a favorite concession stand “in the same place that they remember,” Ogg said.
Knowing what to change and what to keep can be difficult, Ogg said.
This year’s fairgoers will notice that some things have changed.

The Heartland Events Center will host Cirque Ma’Ceo on Sept. 4-5.
“We’re really working hard on strengthening the entire Fonner Park campus, if you will, to move our people and our guests around — give them a chance to be entertained, be educated, stay longer,” Ogg said.
Changes are meant to strengthen parts of the fairgrounds and reduce heavy traffic in others. One goal is to give people more experiences sooner once they arrive at the fair.
On the calendar, a noticeable change is the Veterans Day program, which traditionally has been on Labor Day. This year it will be on Tuesday.
Local veterans “wanted a day other than Labor Day,” Ogg said. “They felt they would have better participation on a weekday than they would on that Monday holiday.”
Still, moving the veterans program allowed the fair to do something different.
An equestrian-themed circus called Cirque Ma’Ceo will be presented in the Heartland Events Center on Sept. 4-5. Admission is free to the troupe’s five performances.
Videos, photos: The 2021 Nebraska State Fair

Dean Baumgart of Hastings stands and waves the flag while the Marines’ Hymn is being played during the Nebraska State fair Veterans Day program at the Heartland Events Center Monday. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Robert and Juanita Briseno wave the crowd during the Veteran’s parade at the Nebraska State Fair. Briseno was a co-grand marshal of the parade. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Some Veteran’s and Daughters of the American Revolution gathered arm in arm during a song at the Veterans Day program at the Heartland Events Center Monday during the Nebraska State Fair. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Zane Kreikemeier of Callaway ropes a calf during the high school rodeo Monday morning at the Nebraska State Fair. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Morgan Rosander from Wolbach competed in pole bending at the high school rodeo Monday during the final day of the state fair. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Lynsie Lancaster of Hastings ropes a goat during Monday’s high school rodeo at the state fair. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Busy weekend made for a fun atmosphere on the Midway at the Nebraska State Fair Saturday afternoon. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

A smashing good time at Monday’s Labor Day demo derby during the last day of the state fair. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

This group was waiting for a free combine ride Sunday afternoon at the Nebraska State Fair. In back (from left) are Chris Schwieger, Mallory Cacy and Laurie Stueven. In front are Makenna Stueven, 4, Blayne Cacy, 5, and Ella Cacy, 7.

Wyatt and Whitney Umstead of Howard, S.D., step down after a free combine ride Sunday at the Nebraska State Fair. Wyatt is 14 and Whitney 9.

A steady line of fairgoers waits to get a free combine ride Sunday at the Nebraska State Fair.

Austyn Smith, 3 receives a treat from Bridget Rountree , one half of the Animal Cracker Conspiracy Puppet Co. who walked around the Nebraska State Fair on stilts. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

the Animal Cracker Conspiracy Puppet Co. walk around the Nebraska State Fair on stilts. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

A girl pets a recently born duck inside the birthing pavilion at the state fair on Friday. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Kendall Kelly of G.I. touches a ra baby goat while it is held by a vet, inside the birthing pavilion at the state fair on Friday. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Some boys check out the duck slide for new born ducks inside the birthing pavilion Friday afternoon at the state fair. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

This 11 day old pot belly pig walks to its mother at Hedrick’s Petting Zoo inside the state fair on Friday afternoon. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Landry Nelson and Chase Williams pet 11 day old pot belly pigs at Hedrick’s Petting Zoo inside the state fair on Friday afternoon. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Riiver Nelson petd 11 day old pot belly pigs at Hedrick’s Petting Zoo inside the state fair on Friday afternoon. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Kendall Kelly of G.I. touches a recently born duck inside the birthing pavilion at the state fair. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

The Tri-Cities Model Railroad Association has a display under the grandstand in the Fonner Park Concourse at the Nebraska State Fair.

The Tri-Cities Model Railroad Association has a display under the grandstand in the Fonner Park Concourse at the Nebraska State Fair.

The Tri-Cities Model Railroad Association has a display under the grandstand in the Fonner Park Concourse at the Nebraska State Fair.

Whitley Rut, president of her FFA chapter at Arthur High School, gives her award-winning speech about the importance of sand as a natural resource in Nebraska Saturday at the Nebraska State Fair’s Sustainability Pavilion. (Independent/Robert Pore)

Independent/Robert Pore
Border collies are a highly intelligent breed of dog that have been bred to herd cattle and sheep over the centuries. At the Nebraska State Fair’s Cattle Dog Trials, stock dogs competed in a series of obstacles that replicate the chores they do when herding cattle.

Dean and Jared Lerwick, co-owners of the Pumpkin Creek Ranch southwest of Morrill, aim to bring a meat processing and packaging facility back to Gering.

Vicki Pflasterer of Grand Island earned a first place win with her white-haired mini Shadow at the Nebraska State Fair’s carriage driving competition Friday. Shadow was also a reserve world champion at the 2021 Pinto World Championship. Event judge Ruth Graves of Greenville, Texas, looks on. (Independent/Brandon Summers)

Tammy Taylor of Phantom Dragon Ranch in Lakewood, Colo., brought her Shire stallion and Meadowbrook cart to Friday’s carriage driving competition at the Nebraska State Fair. Taylor was joined by her friend, Terri Miller. Before competing, they talk with event superintendent Kate Greckel. (Independent/Brandon Summers)

These kids decided to take a ride on Mighty Mouse at the Nebraska State Fair. Wade Shows opens at 1 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Members of the Prairie Dulcimer Players perform for the crowd inside the Fonner Park concourse at the Nebraska State Fair. The group us from Central Nebraska and plays weekly at care homes in Hastings, Grand Island, an Sutton. They also do some special programs. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Lance Wilson. a citizen of the Pottawatomie nation and a “fancy dancer” or “hoop dancer,” performs on the AGI stage at the Nebraska State Fair. Wilson has performances scheduled for 1 and 5 p.m. Friday, Sept 3. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

The Nebraska Department of Heath and Human Services Immunization Department has set up a station for the free COVID-19 vaccines in the Welcome Center at the Nebraska State Fair. (Independent/McKenna Lamoree)

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Immunization Department employees Patty Korbelik and Tammy Wintz prepare for a day of providing free COVID-19 vaccines for those attending the Nebraska State Fair. (Independent/McKenna Lamoree)

Tim Beckman (left) carefully handles a freshly-fried funnel cake to pass along to Sue King (center). King and her husband Mike own the popular Nebraska State Fair food stand staple King’s Funnel Cakes and More. Melody Beckman (far right) primarily handles order window duties.

Students gather around to observe a demonstration on the equipment dairy farmers use to milk cows during a Nebraska’s Largest Classroom event at the Nebraska State Fair.

Katie Johnsen from Barr Middle school demonstrates Potential energy and kinetic energy using wood tongue depressor sticks Monday at the Nebraska State Fair. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Katie Johnsen from Barr Middle school demonstrates Potential energy and kinetic energy using wood tongue depressor sticks Monday at the Nebraska State Fair. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

The Doniphan-Trumbull band played at the Nebraska State Fair Tuesday morning. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Bo, a dog from JUMP! The ultimate dog show jumps through the upside legs of Lou “Mack” McCammon – AKA the “Dog Man” of Las Vegas during Tuesday’s show in the Family Fun Zone at the Nebraska State Fair. Dogs also catch Frisbee’s in and out of water and even jump over poles at varying levels of heights. The show performs twice daily. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Bo, a dog from JUMP! The ultimate dog show catches a Frisbee in mid-air, before landing in a pool during Tuesday’s show in the Family Fun Zone at the Nebraska State Fair. Dogs also catch Frisbee’s in and out of water and do other tricks with their owner. The show performs twice daily. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Taz, a dog from JUMP! The ultimate dog show jumps well over six foot during Tuesday’s show in the Family Fun Zone at the Nebraska State Fair. Dogs also catch Frisbee’s in and out of water and do other tricks with their owner. The show performs twice daily. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

The metal Percheron pulling a plow sculpture on display at the Iowa State Fair.

Dwight Hughes Jr. worked with an artist to have a sculpture of a Percheron horse made and displayed at the state fair. The horse was made of welded-together metal machine parts.

The Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Pit usually stays busy at lunch and super time during the Nebraska State Fair, but on Monday it was extra busy for Older Nebraskans Day. (Independent/Josh Salmon)

Scott Manchester of Grand Island competes in another Antique Tractor pull. This year’s Antique tractor pull begins at 9 a.m. Friday-Saturday at the Lancaster Event Center, 4100 N. 84th St.

Dixie Engelke of Athol, Kansas, competed in Monday morning’s barrel races held at the US Foods outdoor arena on the grounds of the Nebraska State Fair. Engelke had a time of 18.517.

The Sandy Creek Cougars of Fairfield perform at the Nebraska State Fair Monday under the direction of instructor Devin Rethman.

Bishop Neumann Catholic Cavaliers of Wahoo, under Director Bill Kellett, practice their routine early in the morning before being the first of several high school marching bands to perform at the Nebraska State Fair Monday.

The Grand Island Senior High Islanders marching band performed Monday at the Nebraska State Fair. The 104 students were led by GISH Orchestra Director John Jacobs.

Setup for the Nebraska State Fair continued Aug. 25 in Grand Island.