Straight from the Horse's Mouth

Duane A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator, Webster County November 7, 2009 Edition I spent last weekend in Lincoln Nebraska. You might ask, “What is so remarkable about that?” There wasn’t a conference, seminar or workshop. I didn’t even go to spoil my grandkids. There wasn’t even a Nebraska football game going on in the stadium. It was more of a bittersweet experience, combining curiosity with a sense of purpose and perhaps a journey down memory lane. In an earlier column I gave a little history on the Nebraska State Fair and gave a sort of farewell to this staple of Nebraska tradition on those hallowed grounds that I walked one more time this past week. Of course, as I walked past each particular building or area, each with its own use, tradition, memories and unique place in Nebraska history, a flood of emotions and my own unique memories came rushing back. Then I was brought back to reality by the sound of a voice over a loud speaker reminding everyone when and where the auction would start. That’s right, I was there to see the last remaining remnants of the “old” Nebraska State Fair get sold off to the highest bidder. I couldn’t help thinking to myself…”Where did they find all of this stuff?” But then in retrospect you must consider that this was the 140th Nebraska State Fair and I believe 108th at this particular site. I think of what I have accumulated by myself in a much shorter time. It was interesting and of course a little sad to walk down the many rows of “things” that were lined up for viewing and then for final sale at the tap of a gavel. Hundreds of people were there, and it was sometimes hard to hear the auctioneer or even see what was being sold. It was however a lot more than items on a table or under a tree, or running between several buildings to see something sell on the last day when there were several auctioneers going. It was more about seeing people that you perhaps hadn’t seen in years, or reflecting with old friends on how it used to be. It is like most farm auctions that I have been to. It isn’t so much about the auction items. It is more about the fraternization with people with like interests and the innate curiosity the good Lord gave all of us. It was nice shaking hands with people that you use to compete against right there at the State Fair, or perhaps worked with years ago. In some cases individuals that you ran the old State Fairgrounds with looking for excitement, or peeking under the carnival tents or racing wheelbarrows down the ramps of the old beef building. I heard many stories related during the times when people were tired of standing, walking or listening to the cry of auctioneer. I talked to one couple who had met at the State Fair while exhibiting their animals. Their romance started there and more than 50 years of marriage later they came back to the place that started it all. Another man that overheard them said, “Hey that is how my wife and I met too. I hated her at the time. She always beat me in the 4-H show ring. I am proof that if you can’t beat them, you join them!” He laughed and went on to put his hand up on an item he had been waiting for. Others talked about the food court or the rides and perhaps their best or funniest memories. It was a trip down memory lane, one more time as you heard reflections and people remembering when Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were there with Trigger. People would chime in with their favorite events that were held under the stars in the old grandstand or in the open air auditorium. One older gentleman said that his fondest memories were of going to church during State Fair Sundays in that old open air auditorium and then his voice trailed off. Everyone seemed sad that an old friend, a tradition, a part of people’s heritage and youth was coming to an end with each shout of “sold”! There were a lot of interesting things that you could see. Old printing presses, the old cast iron “rising suns” that used to grace the fairgrounds, memorabilia and of course lots of things that were just functional items needed to maintain building, grounds and everything that goes with an active fairgrounds and all the events that go on there. Yes even all those unique wooden benches that many people looked for after walking miles and enduring some very hot weather. Many were curious items – “What the heck is that thing?” and others you wondered “Why did they keep that?” One thing is for sure, there were lots of things to choose from, regardless if your intent was to get something for utility or if you just wanted to take home some memorabilia of the Nebraska State Fair in Lincoln. Actually I was there for more than a trip down memory lane. I was also there on a mission. The Webster County Fairboard asked me, since I was going to be there anyway, to bid on a couple of items and I did just that. That is right, a part of the Nebraska State Fair will be finding a new home in Bladen, Nebraska. We found a bargain in some much needed bleachers for the rodeo arena, some display cases for the 4-H exhibit hall, a few sheep and goat pens, and believe it or not – one of those wooden benches that used to sit by the old State Fair 4-H Exhibit Hall and Show Arena. It will now grace the front of the 4-H building in Webster County. The tradition lives on, perhaps not in Lincoln now, but in all those things that used to be at the old State Fair Park are now distributed across the state, and a new tradition starts in 2010 - the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island! You are welcome to come to our fair in Bladen, NE and sit on the bench or bleachers, but I also hope that people help keep the tradition alive and continue the experience that is the Nebraska State Fair! 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