Nebraska State Fair gives vendors a chance to sell goods

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - The Nebraska State Fair is setting up for their altered event and vendors will finally get a chance to earn some income. For some, this is the first event they have been able to go to the entire year. A lot of them are very excited to be selling their goods and food to Nebraskans.

With fairs being cancelled around the country, retailers like ‘Gone Country’ have been stuck waiting since March. They have made some sales on street corners to make ends meet but are grateful for the Nebraska State Fair for staying open in some capacity.

“Obviously we want to make enough money to make it worth our while to come here but for us that’s just covering our expenses,” Gone County Owner Jeff Carver said. “We’re really social people and we like getting out and we love interacting with people.”

Carver said they are glad the FFA and 4-H students will get to showcase their talents and maybe the families will stop by their store.

Some food vendors have had some luck getting to set up in other locations. Hardenbrook’s Concessions have been attending the state fair for nearly 60 years and didn’t want to see it cancelled. They said their favorite part of the fair is seeing the kids come year after year to get their favorite foods. Owner Dustin Beener said fair food is part of the magic of the fair and why he wanted to be sure to make it out this year.

“We’d like people to hopefully come out and be safe and understand it’s about us making a dollar but it’s also about creating a memory for them that is positive compared to everything else that is happening in 2020,” Beener said.

While the main focus will be on the FFA and 4-H shows, the vendors will be on-site throughout the week so people can stop by and get their favorite fair food or buy a new cowboy hat. The Nebraska State Fair officially begins Friday and will run through September 7. Admission to the fair is free.

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