Nebraska State Fair finds success with strong guest satisfaction, noticeable improvements over previous year

More than 300,000 guests came together during the 11 days of the 2026 Nebraska State Fair, marking another successful year of celebrating Nebraska agriculture, youth, entertainment and tradition.

The Fair experienced one of the warmest 11-day stretches on record, and overall attendance was the 4th highest in the seven fairs since Covid in 2020. Despite the challenging temperatures, nearly every other key measure of the Fair showed strength or growth, including increased guest satisfaction, higher concert attendance, record numbers of livestock and competitive exhibitor entries, strong vendor sales and record-setting participation in signature events.

“The success of the Nebraska State Fair has never been measured by a single number,” said Jaime Parr, Nebraska State Fair Executive Director. “We had 306,351 guests join us for a safe and unforgettable experience and what happened once Fairgoers arrived tells an important story. Guest satisfaction increased, more than 10,000 head of livestock filled the barns (up nearly 800 head year over year), Open Class Livestock alone paid out $108k in premiums, our outdoor concerts were larger than the previous 3 years, and events like demolition derby welcomed record participation as well. We are very proud of the 2026 Nebraska State Fair.”

The Fair saw increases of 437 livestock in Open Class, 298 head in 4-H and 37 head in FFA. In addition to increases in the barns, there were also 169 additional quilts over 2025, and Photography, Textile Arts and Visual Arts were all up by more than 100 entries each.

Fair officials say the results are particularly encouraging as the organization continues to use guest feedback to shape programming, entertainment, and the overall Fair experience.

“We spend a great deal of time listening to what our guests tell us,” said Courtney Glock, Nebraksa State Fair Marketing Director. “That feedback helps us determine what is working, where we can improve and where we should invest additional resources. Seeing satisfaction continue to grow tells us those efforts are making a difference and we hope that seeing these improvements reinforces to guests that their input matters and we are absolutely listening.”

Glock said improvements weren’t limited to ARPA paving improvements but also included added seating outside, changes to concert models, new strolling performers and additional emphasis placed on Nebraska-based businesses.

All of the success determined by vendors, concessionaires, exhibitors, staff and guests occurred despite the event taking place during an unusually persistent stretch of hot weather.

Weather data from the National Weather Service shows that Aug. 28 through Sept. 7 was the third warmest occurrence of that specific 11-day period on record, based on average daily temperature. Only 1922 and 1913 were warmer.

The average high during the Fair was 92 degrees, 8.5 degrees above normal, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees or higher on eight of the Fair's 11 days.

The hottest day came on Labor Day, Sept. 7, when the temperature reached 99 degrees and the heat index climbed to 104 degrees, which was 25 degrees warmer than the same day one year prior.

Parr said that attendance is one part of a much larger picture.

“When we look at guest satisfaction and participation as well as partnerships and experiences across the Fair, we see a very successful event and a strong platform established in 2026," she said. "That was seen at each stage show and in the barns as folks from nearly every zip code gathered to experience the Fair.”

More than 300,000 guests chose to make the 11-days of Nebraska State Fair an important part of their summer.

Fair staff are already reviewing guest feedback and building on the successes of 2026 as planning begins for the 2027 Nebraska State Fair.

Guests interested in sharing their feedback can fill out the Nebraska State Fair survey at www.statefair.org. 

—