Straight from the Horse's Mouth

by Duane A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator, Webster County September 11, 2009 Edition This past week, I walked through the aisles of the Nebraska State Fair in Lincoln for the last time. I drank in the sights, the sounds, the smells and the sense of tradition and history. I shared memories with many old friends as we walked the grounds, watched the shows or just simply sat on a bench observing the diversity of people who were attending the final state fair to be he held in this tradition rich and historic location. When I led the last steer to the truck and then put the last box of static exhibits in my pickup, I turned to take one last look-- and it was like saying goodbye to a very good friend. Memories rushed back from the first time I came to the fair in the mid-50s with my dad and grandpa; to the days that I exhibited; or sat in the old 4-H Building arena waiting for my number to be called to give reasons as I represented Franklin County on its 4-H judging team. More memories of many students that I worked with as an FFA advisor, and more recently as an extension educator; and special memories watching and helping my own daughter prepare and show the string of cattle that she showed over the years. I smiled and then found deep-seated emotions running through me as I remembered those precious moments, and true to my personality decided I needed to seek out at the history of our State Fair. I thought this week I would share some of what I learned with you in a very brief form. I found it rather interesting. Nebraska State Fair History: The Fifth Territorial Legislature, in an act approved Oct. 14, 1858, providing for the organization of County Agricultural Societies, established a Territorial Board of Agriculture to receive and digest reports from, and of, the several organizations, and to hold annual meetings for the purpose of deliberating and consulting as to the wants, prospects and condition of the agricultural interests throughout the Territory. The first meeting of the Board was held in Omaha October 30, 1858. It was determined at this meeting that the first annual fair be held three days in succession, commencing on the third Wednesday of September, 1859, in such county as offered the largest donations, privileges and best accommodations. The list of premiums and amenities having been published accordingly, Otoe County was selected as the location. It appears the Nebraska City had a lot of firsts in our state history. The first “Territorial Fair” was held at Nebraska City September 21, 22 and 23, 1859, the list comprising premiums on farm stock, “blooded and ordinary”, of all kinds then in the West, farm implements, domestic manufactures and dairy products, American cloth manufactures, needle, shell and wax works, paintings and drawings, stoves and stone ware, cabinet ware, book binding and printing, flowers, fruits, vegetables, grain and field crops, listed in nearly the same order in which they have been mentioned. A premium was also offered for the best essay on the character, composition and improvement of soils in Nebraska, for which it appears there was no competition. “The amount actually awarded aggregated to $355, in addition to a gold watch, saddle and bridle, and two sets of jewelry, valued at $115, and a goodly number of diplomas”. The address of the occasion was delivered by J. Sterling Morton. At the end of the report of the fair, to the next Legislature, the Committee "beg leave to say that this first Territorial Fair of Nebraska, though not a complete success, is far from a failure. Taking all things into consideration, it is a marvel that we have done half so well." This was the only Territorial Fair ever held in Nebraska, no decided effort appearing to have been made toward another exhibition until 1868, when the Board, having been resolved into a State organization by the admission of the Territory, held the second annual fair, also at Nebraska City, on October 7, 8 and 9. The next fair was held in Nebraska City on October 7-9, 1868; this was the first fair held after Nebraska became a state, so this technically was the first actual Nebraska State Fair. Nebraska City also hosted the 1869 fair. In 1870 and 1871, it was held in Brownville. From 1872 until 1901 the fair switched back and forth between Lincoln and Omaha. In Omaha it was held at the Omaha Driving Park in North Omaha. The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben was formed in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to keep the fair in Omaha, but succeeded in having their own show. In 1901, the Nebraska Legislature named the Lancaster County Fairgrounds in Lincoln as the official home and it has been there every since. It stayed pretty much “status quo” until recently. Struggling with lowered attendance, the Nebraska State Fair was thought by some to be threatened with termination in the early years of the new millennium. It was added as a voluntary donation recipient to the annual state income tax and attendance rose enough in subsequent years to give it a second wind. As do many things, big changes were just around the corner. Questions kept arising about the viability of the fair and condition of buildings, etc. where it was currently housed. In 2008, the Nebraska legislature enacted LB1116 to transfer the Nebraska State Fair to Grand Island in 2010. The realization of this kicked in at this, the 140th edition of the Nebraska State Fair. I hope attendees this year got to see remnants of the Nebraska State Fair’s past at the historic Industrial Arts building. The old brick structure has been hosting state fairs since 1918. Not far away, the 4-H building has been standing since 1931, the root of many of my own memories. By this time next year, the State Fair will have completed its first new venue in Grand Island, and those historic buildings and the current grounds likely will be just a memory. I bid the “Old State Fair” adieu. Goodbye old friend, it was a good run. I will miss you and all that you entailed. But I welcome and look forward to a new adventure, new facilities and the start of a new history at the first Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island! See you there next year! The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu