Nebraska State Fair-goers connect through tradition and friendly competition

Nebraska’s spirit of friendly competition at the State Fair is older than the state itself.

Since Nebraska’s first territorial fair in 1859 – eight years before Nebraska gained statehood – people from around the state have shown up with their best livestock, farm products, handmade crafts and homemade recipes.

This year was no different. In the first five days of the 11-day event, more than 154,000 people walked through the fair gates in Grand Island, according to fair organizers. The celebration will wrap up on Labor Day.

There were more than 100 competitions, each with their own subcategories. Some of the competitions, like showcasing farm products and livestock, have been around since the fair’s inception. Others, like smoothie making, charcuterie board decoration and robotics contests – are modern additions.

Michelle Blessin from Kenesaw raises mini Hereford show cows with her granddaughters. She says the competition environment at the state fair is very positive.

“It’s just one big family,” Blessin said. “Especially with the mini Herefords, I want to say we know everybody that’s showing. Everybody comes together for the State Fair.”

Blessin has been coming to the State Fair for the last few years – since her oldest granddaughter was 4. Now, she has three granddaughters who compete in Nebraska, across the Midwest and at national competitions.

She said people are friendly, even if they’re competing.

“If I didn't have something, I could run over there to their stalls and say, ‘hey, I don't have this, can I borrow yours,’ and they would be more than happy,” Blessin said.

The State Fair’s agriculture contests aren’t just about cows and corn.

Last weekend, Erica Jensen from Aurora competed with her show llamas.

“They do sort of like dog agility, and they have a halter class where it's just them in the ring, and the judge judges them off of correctness and how they look and how clean they are,” Jensen said.

23-year-old Jensen has raised llamas for 10 years and made a personal tradition out of competing at the fair. This year, her younger cousin joined the competition for the first time, showing their llama named Twister.

“He got his name because in 2020, there was a big, giant tornado outbreak where he's from, and there was one 20 minutes from where he lived,” Jensen said.

When they aren’t center stage, Jensen’s llamas are at the petting zoo getting lots of attention and food from fairgoers.

At the Quilt Room, Janice Stuhmer helps fairgoers take a closer look at quilts from across Nebraska. As a white glove chairman, she’s in charge of safely showcasing over 537 quilts that were submitted this year.

“A lot of them will enter just to have a place to showcase their work, because there's all kinds of different techniques that people have learned through the years and want to share,” Stuhmer said.

An out-of-state judge takes about two days to select award-winning quilts. Prizes were awarded in 90 different categories.

Most quilts are put together with machines, but a few of this year’s submissions were hand sewn. Though Stuhmer said the submissions are different from past years, quilters are still interested in connecting to Nebraska history through their art.

“Quilting has always been very popular since the pioneer times, when they were a necessity,” Stuhmer said. “And I just think a lot of younger people now are starting to pick up that tradition.”

The youngest quilter in this year’s competition was 4 years old. Stuhmer said more young people are entering quilts, and she’s teaching her young grandchildren to quilt with her.

A large exhibit hall dedicated to Nebraska 4-H showcases competition entries from the state’s youths. Educational categories test kids' knowledge of school subjects like spelling and science. 4-H also has youth-exclusive categories for livestock, farm products, horticulture and fine art.

As a pie judging contest and a beekeeping demonstration took place in the 4-H hall, the folksy sounds of a little-known instrument called an Appalachian dulcimer filled the room. A group of central Nebraskans called the Prairie Dulcimer Players began teaching themselves the fretted string instrument about a decade ago.

Now, they play at nursing homes and hospitals every week – and at the fair every year.