Wednesday, Aug. 28
“All Roads Lead to Fun,” the 2024 Nebraska State Fair, through Labor Day, Grand Island. Gates open at 8 a.m. daily. Buildings open at 9 or 10 a.m., closing hours vary. Carnival hours: 1 to 11 p.m. through Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Labor Day. Gate admission is $12 for adults (13-59). $6 for seniors (60 and older) and kids (6-12); free for children 5 and younger; statefair.org
Riley Green, in concert at the Nebraska State Fair, 7:30 p.m., TC Landing (outdoor concert); gates open at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $25, pit tickets are $67 (plus fees); statefair.org or etix.com
“A Perk and a Prayer,” free drive-thru coffee, 7 to 9 a.m., First-Faith United Methodist Church parking lot, 4190 W. Capital Ave., Grand Island (weather permitting); 308-384-5620.
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Bingo, 1 p.m., Grand Generation Center, 304 E. Third St., Grand Island; 308-385-5308.
Kearney Area Farmers Market, 3 to 6 p.m., Hilltop Mall parking long, 5011 Second Ave., Kearney.
10-point pitch party, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Tabitha at Prairie Commons, 3490 Ewoldt St.; winners will receive prizes. Parties usually offered the fourth Wednesday of each month; Jessica, 308-833-6112.
Thursday, Aug. 29
Los Huracanes del Norte, in concert at the Nebraska State Fair, 7:30 p.m., TD Landing (outdoor concert); gates open at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $37, pit tickets are $77 (plus fees); statefair.org or etix.com
Late Summer Sunset Hike, 7 to 9 p.m., Bader Memorial Park, south of Chapman. Explore the trails along the Platte River and prairie, enjoy birding along the Platte River, wildflowers blooming on the prairie and take in the sunset. Hang around after the hike at the picnic shelter for s’mores; no park pass required to join the hike; 308-986-2522.
Food-drink
Best thing I ate at the fair: Don't skip the corn dog, or the sauce on those cheese curds
- Cheyenne Rowe
Tabitha’s Closet, free clothing giveaway, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Stolley Park Church of Christ, 2822 W. Stolley Park Road, Grand Island. Clothing donations accepted; no housewares; 308-384-2613.
Coloring with Friends, 2 p.m., the Chocolate Bar, 116 W. Third St., Grand Island. Adult coloring get-together led by Trinity United Methodist Church most Friday afternoons; 308-382-1952. (NOTE: Gathering changed from Fridays to Thursdays.)
Bingo, 7 p.m., United Veterans Club, 1914 W. Capital, Grand Island. Doors open at 6; open to the public; 308-381-1555.
Friday, Aug. 30
Turnpike Troubadours, in concert at the Nebraska State Fair, 7:30 p.m., TD Landing (outdoor concert). General admission tickets are $75, pit tickets are $90 (plus fees); statefair.org or etix.com
“Creatures of Legend,” artist lecture and reception, 4 p.m., Jackson Dinsdale Art Gallery, Hastings College, 700 E. 12th St., Hastings. Exhibit featuring printed engravings of various animal species around the world created by Liz Murray of Elm Creek, remains on display through Aug. 30; no admission charge.
Saturday, Aug. 31
Yung Gravy with Taylor Holder, in concert at the Nebraska State Fair, 7:30 p.m., TD Landing (outdoor concert). General admission tickets are $47, pit tickets are $67 (plus fees); statefair.org or etix.com
David Stingley, singer/songwriter/guitarist, music from the late 70s, 7 p.m.,the Liederkranz, 401 W. First St. Suggested donation is $10; 308-382-9337,
United Nebraska Muzzleloaders Association State Shoot, through Monday, Red, White and Blue Range, northwest of Cairo (3 miles west and 3 miles north). Event includes shooting all three days, pot luck and Dutch oven cooking contest on Saturday; prizes awarded. Range hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to noon Monday; Roger Grim, 308-226-2578, or the Nebraska Muzzle Loading Rifle Association — Grand Island page on Facebook.
Local
Guided tours of Nebraska State Fair livestock new this year
- Robert Pore
Fort Hartsuff 150th anniversary celebration, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, 82034 Fort Ave., Burwell (about 15 miles southeast of Burwell off of Highway 11). Saturday schedule includes programs by Jean Lukesh, Alan Bartels, Kimberlee Berezuk, Jerome Kills Small, Jeff Barnes; military drills for kids, artillery demonstrations, and a candlelight tour. Sunday activities includes programs by Gary Wells, Barnes, Kills Small and Lukesh; and a 150th dedication ceremony, artillery demonstrators and a parade. Food and other vendors will be on site; cannon display, family activities and more. complete schedule at OutdoorNebraska.gov/ . Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for children 3-12; Nebraska park permit required for entry (available at post headquarters); 308-346-4715 or ngpc.Fort.Hartsuff@nebraska.gov.
Callaway Kite Flight, 33rd annual, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Foster Smith Field, 4 miles southeast of Callaway along Highway 40. Event includes professional kite flyers, horseback rides, children’s activities, food and of course, kite flying. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 15 and younger (pre-K kids admitted free) and $25 for the entire family. Information: 308-870-6156 or the Callaway Kite Flight page on Facebook.
“Famous Pairs,” Arcadia Fall Festival, 70th annual, through Monday, Arcadia. Event includes a barbecue contest, ranch rodeo, and a poker run on Saturday; pancake feed, community worship, kids games and a demolition derby on Sunday; and a parade (10:30 a.m.) and car show on Monday.
State
Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive ready for ‘Heartland of America’ tour
Grand Island Area Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1607 S. Locust (behind Starbucks; south side of the parking lot); www.farmersmarketgi.com
Kearney Area Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hilltop Mall parking long, 5011 Second Ave., Kearney.
Market on the Square, 8 to 11 a.m., Hamilton County Courthouse parking lot, Aurora. Features hand-made and homegrown products. Last market of the season; Aurora Chamber of Commerce, 402-694-6911.
Stolley Park Railroad, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. last day, Grand Island. Tickets are $3.50 for anyone age 3 and older; children age 2 and younger ride for free with a paying adult; 308-389-0290.
Sunday, Sept. 1
Nebraska Bush Pullers Truck and Tractor Pull, 5 p.m., Motorsports Park, Nebraska State Fair. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth (plus fees) advance tickets include gate admission; statefair.org or etix.com
Music
Gatlin Brothers take audience down memory lane at State Fair
- Jeff Bahr
Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 whistle stop, noon to 12:30 p.m., pedestrian overpass, Wayside Park, near C Street and Highway 30, Overton. Note: Big Boy will make an overnight stop in Grand Island, but there will be no public access and afternoon arrival times are not available. Complete schedule (subject to change): https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm.
Bingo, 2 p.m., United Veterans Club, 1914 W. Capital, Grand Island. Doors open at 1; open to the public; 308-381-1555.
Monday, Sept. 2
Labor Day
Nebraska Demolition Derby Championship, 2 p.m., Motorsports Park, Nebraska State Fair. Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for youth, pit tickets are $33 (plus fees) advance tickets include gate admission; statefair.org or etix.com
Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 whistle stop, 11 to 11:30 a.m., 26th Avenue crossing, Columbus. Note: After an overnight stop in Grand Island, Big Boy is set to depart G.I. at 9 a.m. Complete schedule (subject to change): https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm.
Grand Island Parks splash pads, last day for the season.
On Display
Paintings by Carol Schooley, of Grand Island, through Sept. 8, Grand Island Public Library, 1124 W. Second St. Library hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; 308-385-5333 or www.gilibrary.org
Food-drink
Best thing I ate at the fair: Nebraska Cattlemen's prime rib sandwich is a winner
- Jeff Bahr
“Creatures of Legend,” featuring printed engravings of various animal species around the world created by Liz Murray of Elm Creek, through Aug. 30, and “Concordia University Faculty Exhibition,” featuring works by Donald Robson, James Bockelman, Jennifer Bockelman, Seth Boggs and Justin Groth, through Sept. 26, Jackson Dinsdale Art Gallery, Hastings College, 700 E. 12th St., Hastings. Gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; no admission charge.
“A Tribute to My New Hometown,” featuring “a collection of people, places and things found in Minden,” from artist Taylor M. Majerus of Minden, through Aug. 31, Minden Opera House Gallery, 322 E. Fifth St., Minden. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 308-832-0588 or www.mindenoperahouse.com.
“Nebraska Roots,” celebrating the state’s history and the “joys of rural life,” through Nov. 8, Plainsman Museum, 210 16th St., Aurora. Museum hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday. Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for seniors age 60 and older, $4 for students 5-17, free for children 4 and younger; 402-694-6531 or plainsmanmuseum.org.
Full coverage: The 2024 Nebraska State Fair
A one-stop-shop for coverage of the 2024 Nebraska State Fair.
Local
Alert Top Story Topical
Governor launches 155th Nebraska State Fair
- Jeff Bahr
- Updated
Gov. Jim Pillen says the Nebraska State Fair offers an “exciting 11 days” when people can do nothing but celebrate agriculture, enjoy and enco…
Local
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Leon's, Shuckers Roasted Corn win Nebraska State Fair food contest
- Jeff Bahr
- Updated
Leon's wins for second time in three years.
Music
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Gatlin Brothers take audience down memory lane at State Fair
- Jeff Bahr
- Updated
You know you've been around for a while if you've had your picture taken with Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Patrick Swayze, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev.
Local
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STATE FAIR PHOTOS: Young and old alike compete in Mr. Legs Contest
- Mike Brownlee
- Updated
Photos from the Mr. Legs Contest at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Food-drink
Alert Top Story Topical
Best thing I ate at the fair: Nebraska Cattlemen's prime rib sandwich is a winner
- Jeff Bahr
- Updated
Customers may choose prime rib sandwich, roast beef sandwich or BBQ beef sandwich
Agriculture
STATE FAIR PHOTOS: 4-H, cheer competition and games
- Mike Brownlee
- Updated
Photos from the fair.
Agriculture
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STATE FAIR PHOTOS: The miracle of life at the Birthing Pavilion
- Mike Brownlee
- Updated
Photos from the Birthing Pavilion at the Nebraska State Fair. The pavilion is open daily.
Music
Alert Top Story
STATE FAIR PHOTOS: Singing, dancing at the battle of the bands
- Josh Salmon
- Updated
Photos from theFairest Showdown Battle of the Bands at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Local
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STATE FAIR PHOTOS: Kids play, learn at the fair
- Updated
Local
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STATE FAIR PHOTOS: Bull riding, bands and more
- Updated
Photos from the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island.
Food-drink
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Best thing I ate at the fair: Funnel cake earns rave review
- Jeff Bahr
- Updated
The red velvet funnel cake delivers.
Local
Alert Featured Top Story
STATE FAIR PHOTOS: Bullfighting, marathons, drones and carnival rides
- Updated
Photos from the Nebraska State Fair on Saturday, Aug. 24.
Food-drink
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Best thing I ate at the fair: Don't skip the corn dog, or the sauce on those cheese curds
- Cheyenne Rowe
- Updated
The Independent's Cheyenne Rowe hit the classics at the State Fair on Tuesday.
Grand Island Local News
Top Story
Coalition plans human trafficking awareness event during State Fair
- Updated
The Grand Island Area Coalition on Trafficking will host a “Shine a Light on Human Trafficking” awareness event during the Nebraska State Fair…
Local
Editor's Pick Top Story
STATE FAIR PHOTOS: Rootin' tootin' laughs from Tumbleweed Crossing
- Josh Salmon
- Updated
Photos of a gunfight in the Tumbleweed Crossing show at the Nebraska State Fair on Friday, Aug. 23. Tumbleweed Crossing is an award-winning Wi…
Grand Island Local News
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Outside Nebraska State Fair, PETA will make a graphic pitch for vegetarianism
- Jeff Bahr
- Updated
PETA says every animal is someone
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