By US Senator Deb Fischer

It’s August. You might notice the crispness in the air, or the leaves turning yellow, or maybe you even smell meat roasting. You’re surrounded by the sounds of bustling crowds and excited children. It’s time for the Nebraska State Fair again.

When we Nebraskans think of our annual State Fair celebration, we think of lemonade, corn on the cob, family-friendly outings, or reuniting with friends. But it wasn’t always this way.

Nebraska’s first state fair was held in 1859, eight years before we became a state. At the 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 grew in importance over the years. Between 1872 and 1901, the location of the fair led to a rivalry between Omaha and Lincoln.

An 1895 Lincoln Courier article stated: “It was a rare treat for the people of Omaha. They have marveled at pumpkins, turnips and corn, and imagined themselves farmers. They have felt the fresh breeze of the prairie from the cowboys from the West. They have set up false kings, queens and princesses.”

Lincoln won the competition in 1901 and hosted the state fair there for over a century. In 2010, the event was permanently moved to Grand Island, to its current location.

Over time, entertainment evolved, too. In the 1880s, chariot races were introduced to the fair, and in 1895, the Aksarben Festival was even introduced. Our unique events included car racing and acrobatics – but nothing was as novel as our air shows.

Arch Hoxsey, a member of the Wright brothers’ flying team, made history at the 1910 Nebraska State Fair. He made several flights during the event but eventually crashed into an animal pen, becoming the first airplane crash in our state.

As much as the entertainment has evolved over the years, the origins of the Nebraska State Fair have not been forgotten. Nebraska is very proud of our state’s agricultural roots. We were built from the ground up by farmers and ranchers. The original purpose of our State Fair was to provide an opportunity for Nebraska’s farmers to meet and share ideas on current issues. In the early days, they would walk the grounds to meet other farmers, build relationships and learn from the people around them.

Today, our fair isn’t much different at its core. We still show livestock, perhaps with a little more flair than in the 19th century. And we still have our harvest shows. We’ve stayed true to our roots and found innovative ways to educate and entertain our communities.

And our young people have truly embraced the spirit of Nebraska. Our show halls are full of their projects and our barns and show rings are full of their livestock. They are the future leaders and agricultural producers of our state.

The Nebraska State Fair is an important part of our history. It represents the people and customs of Nebraska, our values ​​and principles, and our devotion to our roots. As always, I look forward to attending the Nebraska State Fair!