Vendors prepare for the 150th Nebraska State Fair

150 years of the Nebraska State Fair is something to celebrate, and at Fonner Park that's what they plan to do.

"This year marks the 150th State Fair," Jaime Parr, State Fair Chief of Sales told Local4 News. "It's also the 10th year that the Fair has been in Grand Island, Nebraska. We have a lot of changes going on and we're super excited to show off all the hard work that's gone on all year long."

The fair brought in a lot of new vendors this year, including Young Living Essential Oils and the eight Percheron draft horses they'll have on display.

"They're more than welcome to come through and look at all of the horses and touch the big guys," Percheron Hitch Driver Jason Goodman said. "A lot of people don't realize how big these guys are until you get right next to them. Then we'll also have an area here in the back where we'll be getting the hitch ready. We're going to be putting big fancy show harnesses on them."

The horses have made appearances during shows at past fairs, but this is the first year they have their own booth and will participating in more activities.

"We're going to do a driving demonstration during the draft horse show," Goodman said. "We're also going to do a daily parade around the grounds with a 6 horse hitch while we are here."

With so many changes, they also brought back old favorites. Wild Bob's Old Time Portraits who are returning to the fair for their 14th year.

"It's just a fun thing to do. We enjoy it, the kids enjoy, the parents enjoy it," Wild Bob's Owner Robert Pickle said. "We get kids as they're growing up. People just love coming out, dressing up in costume and getting their picture taken."

All of the fair excitement kicks off Friday at 10 am.