Aksarben Stock Show breaks attendance record

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - The 2023 Aksarben Stock Show set a new attendance record for its time in Grand Island this past weekend.

The show, which moved to Grand Island in 2017, broke the 40,000 mark in attendance for the first time with 40,003 people coming to the four-day event.

Aksarben Stock Show and Nebraska State Fair Agricultural Director Vaughn Sievers said “it is humbling to watch the show, now in its 96th year, continue to grow. We had over 3,300 head of livestock during the event this year. To see attendance continue to rise, is awesome.”

Participants from 13 neighboring states and Nebraska are eligible to participate in the Aksarben Stock Show each year. In 2023, $165,000 of premiums were awarded including $115,000 to Grand Drive winners in the categories of swine, broilers, goats, lambs, and beef.

“It really is great to see so many people come out and enjoy the show,” said Aksarben Stock Show Manager Jacque Johnson. “Our show this year was smooth as it gets. This was a great weekend to celebrate agriculture here in Nebraska and in my hometown too.”

The Nebraska State Fair produces the stock show. Dates for 2024 are already set for September 29 through October 1.

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