Nebraska State Fair in Lincoln, NE
Family Fun and Entertainment: Fairgrounds August 22 - Labor Day 2008
Aug 7, 2008
The Nebraska State Fair is a summertime event that begins on August 22 and runs through Labor Day in 2008. The Nebraska Fairgrounds, in Lincoln, are filled with entertainment for the entire family. The fair features music concerts, agricultural exhibits, dancing, beer gardens, festival food, car races, bull riding, demolition derby, Monster trucks, daily parades, marching bands, competitions, livestock, Hedrick's petting zoo, Livestock Birthing Pavilion, Moo-Mania Comedy Show Strolling the Grounds and midway rides. The whole family can enjoy a day at the fair.
The State fair began as an agricultural showcase, where farmers came together to educate each other and to demonstrate the best of farming techniques. Agriculture continues to be the central focus of the state fair, but a diverse range of entertainment has been added, making the fair an adventure with something for everyone.
New for 2008 is the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall, A Funny Experience Comedy Show, Moo-Mania Comedy Show, Pirates of the Caribbean Diving show, Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show, Hedrick's Racing Pigs, Family Fun Farm, Buttons the Clown, Cavallo Equestrian Arts, Sandscapes Sand Sculptures, Charlie Stron Stitl Walker, Washboard Willy and Wishboard Wanda, The reat Safety Adventure, Jeep Mobile Tour, Busch Bass Tour and the US Cellular "The Call is Yours" Tour.
The Nebraska State Fair features special concerts, Grandstand entertainment and special events. Following is just some of the entertainment at the 2008 fair.
Grandstand Schedule
Grandstand Events require additional ticket purchase. Admission for Grandstand events if Adults $7, Children (6012) $2, Children (5 and under) Free.
- Friday, August 22 7 pm: Figure 8 Races. figure 8 racing combines elements of oval racing, demolition derby and road racing.
- Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, Monster Truck Show: Extreme Monster Truck nationals bring world famous trucks, including The Avenger, The Equalizer, Get R' Don, Havoc and Ghost Rider.
- Monday, August 25: Bull Riding Spectacular Rodeo Sport
- Friday, August 29, Car Races: IMCS Modified, IMCS Hobby Stock, IMCS Sport Mods and NAPA Nebraska State Championship Hobby Stock races.
- Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31. Tractor Pull
- Monday, September 1: Demolition Derby
Open Air Auditorium Entertainment Series
The Nebraska State Fair presents free concerts in the Open Air Auditorium. Evening concerts begin at 7 pm. The concerts are free with paid State Fair gate admission. The concert series is a great draw to the fair. Following is the daily concert lineup for the auditorium.
- Friday, August 22, 7 pm: Miranda Lambert.
- Saturday, August 23, 7 pm: Lorrie Morgan, Tracy Byrd
- Monday, August 25: Older Nebraskans' Festival. Barbra and Frank "The Concert That Never Was" Imagine a concert with Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra. Singers Sharon Owens and Sebastian Ansaldo captivate audiences with a self produced Las Vegas Show.Two Shows at 10 am and 12 noon.,
- Monday, August 25, 7 pm. No Better Cause, Boyz II Men
- Tuesday, August 26 11 am: Older Nebraskans' Festival with Jo Ann Castle
- Tuesday, August 26, 7 pm: Survivor, Starship Starring Mickey Thomas
- Wednesday, August 27, 7 pm, Revive, Third Day
- Thursday, August 28 7 pm, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- Saturday, August 30 7 pm, A Funny Experience Comedy Show
- Sunday, August 31: Nebraska Showcase of Talent, The Killigans, Mustang Sally, The Derailers
- Monday, September 1, 7 pm: Styx
Special Events
- Saturday, August 23, 11 am. U.S. Senate Debate. Candidates vying for the U.S. Senate Seat being vacated by Senator Chuck Hagel participate in this debate sponsored by Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation and the Rural Radio Network/K RVN. Candidates include Democrat Scott Kleeb, Republican Mike Johanns and Green Party Candidate Steve Larrick.
- Sunday, August 24: Fiesta Latina
- Monday and Tuesday, August 25 and 26: Older Nebraskans' Celebration. $3 admission for seniors plus activities geared to the mature taste.
- Friday, August 29: Military Appreciation Day: Military personnel admitted free until pm. Special events include welcome from the Governor , posting and parade of colors and entertainment from the Omaha Big Band, LTD.
- Saturday, August 30: A Funny Experience Comedy Show features Mark Gross and the Amore Brothers, T. Mami Voss and Juli Burney.
- Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31. 4th Annual Galaxy of Stars Talent Search.
Admission
Daily Gate Admission for adults is $5 before pm on Monday through Friday. $8 after 5 pm on weekdays, on weekends and on Labor Day.
Children ages 6-12 $2, Children ages 5 an under Free.
Special Days
- Older Nebraskans Festival: Monday and Tuesday, August 25 and 26. People 60 and over admitted for $3.
- Military Appreciation Day, Friday, August 29, Free gate admission with military identification until 5 pm.
11 Nights of Terror "The Nightmare" Live Haunted House. Admission $3 per person.
General Information
The Nebraska State Fair is held at the fairgrounds in LIncoln, Nebraska. The fair runs from August 22 through September 1, 2008. The final day of the fair is Labor Day.
Information in this article was gathered from the Official Nebraska State Fair Website. Information is subject to change.
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