State Fair Staff Celebrate County Fairs All Summer Long

Grand Island, NE -- Each summer, as Nebraska’s 93 counties buzz with the excitement around local fairs, the staff behind the Nebraska State Fair quietly rolls up their sleeves and steps in, not as organizers, but as volunteers ready to serve the county fairs across the state.

From selling admission tickets to assisting at concerts, working concessions, or pitching in wherever they're needed, Nebraska State Fair staff members spend many of their summer weekends supporting roughly a dozen different county fairs each year. Their efforts are humble but heartfelt. Hospitality Manager for the fair, Monica Kleinschmidt, says the State Fair team has a deep understanding that the roots of their own event grow from these local celebrations.

“We know that without the hard work of county fairs, there wouldn’t be a Nebraska State Fair,” says Kleinschmidt. “This is just one way to honor the statewide network of volunteers and exhibitors or fairgoers who make the Nebraska State Fair a big tradition for so many families.”

Kleinschmidt adds that going out and visiting each of the counties also helps to strengthen connections within the fair industry.

“One of my favorite parts of our County Fair Tour is getting to see and meet people at their own county fair and getting to reconnect with them when they take center stage at the state fair,” Kleinschmidt said. “We all have something in common. You know? We value the memories we’ve made at our fairs and appreciate the togetherness that we all feel come fair time.”

With organizational values focusing on service, the State Fair team tries to mirror what their own 700+ volunteers bring to Grand Island each year.

“Volunteering at county fairs isn’t just about giving time, it’s about your appreciation for the kids preparing livestock, the parents running food stands, people coordinating contests,” said Ricky Genrich of Phelps County. “I think the fair does a good job of this. Reminding us the fun we have at State Fair comes from hard work of county fairs all summer long. I think they are all good people who love what they do. It shows.”

This year, the Nebraska State Fair staff has already volunteered at Bertrand Days, Madison County Fair, Clay County Fair, Boone County Fair and are slated to be at Kearney County Fair, Butler County Fair, Lincoln County Fair, Hall County Fair, Scottsbluff County Fair, Saunders County Fair, Holt County Fair, Nemaha County Fair and Johnson County Fair before the State Fair begins in just over a month.

For a full list of Nebraska’s 2025 county fairs and festivals, and their dates, visit nebraskafairs.org/fairs.php