Photos: Nebraska State Fair in the 1960s
The Nebraska State Fair was held in Lincoln years and years before moving to Grand Island. Here are some photos showing what the fairgrounds looked like in the 1960s.
Nebraska State Fair 1964
Ag Hall offered a spot where you could take a break from walking around the fairgrounds.
Nebraska State Fair 1964
Drivers and their crews prepare their cars in the infield of the horse track.
Nebraska State Fair 1964
The starter waves the green flag during races at the 1964 Nebraska State Fair.
Nebraska State Fair 1964
A vendor shows off his wares in 1964. Note the yardstick held by one of the people watching. People would always want to know where they could get a free yardstick.
Nebraska State Fair 1964
The midway was always popular with the kids.
Nebraska State Fair 1964
You could take a spin on the Paratrooper ride on the midway in 1964.
Nebraska State Fair 1964
Or ride around the fairgrounds on a stagecoach pulled by ponies.
Nebraska State Fair 1964
The Custer County 4-H clubs' produce entry in 1964.
Nebraska State Fair 1969
4-H produce entries line tables in the 4-H Building in 1969.
Nebraska State Fair 1969
The ring is full of entries during a 4-H dairy cow competition in 1969.
Nebraska State Fair 1969
The State Fair featured high school bands every day of the fair.
Nebraska State Fair 1969
The Game and Parks Commission fish tank was always a popular stop. Note the cotton candy stick floating in the tank.
Nebraska State Fair 1969
An aerial view of the open-air auditorium and the administration building (red-brick building) in 1969.
Nebraska State Fair 1969
The infield of the horse racing track featured a pond in the 1960s. Auto races were held during the fair, but as you can see from the trailers at the barns, there were plenty of horses on the grounds too. The Coliseum, now called the Ice Box, is to the right of the track grandstand.
The Nebraska State Fair opens Friday and runs through Labor Day at Fonner Park in Grand Island.
This is the first year that alcohol consumption will not be limited to restricted areas.
This year's Nebraska State Fair attracted 287,367 people over the course of its 11 days, an 8% increase over last year's fair.
Most people think of an alligator as something that might bite them, but at the Nebraska State Fair, you’ll have your chance to bite back.
