State Fair Petition Drive Failed, Now What?

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State Fair Petition Drive Failed, Now What?

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Lincoln, Neb.
Posted: 9:23 AM Jul 16, 2008
Last Updated: 6:35 PM Jul 16, 2008
Reporter: Sara Geake
Email Address: sara.geake@kolnkgin.com

22 comments

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The petition drive to put the state fair location on the ballot has failed.

Community leaders in Grand Island breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday as the news came in that the petition had failed.

They're not sure exactly how many signatures they received, but Roger Yant of Fair Vote Nebraska said they received more than 1,700 in Hall County alone. He said the reason for the failure is that they didn't receive signatures from 5 percent of voters in at least 38 counties.

Meanwhile, in Grand Island, community leaders are excited this cloud has been lifted over the fair move. The end of a petition drive marks the start of an amped up state fair fund raising campaign.

"It did impact whether or not people wanted to donate funds and also look at expending resources if it was a moot point," said Cindy Johnson, G.I. Chamber of Commerce president.

Now a couple of different sources have offered up donations.

"I believe within the course of the next couple, two or three weeks there will be some announcements on both the private fundraising efforts as well as the city involvement," Johnson said.

Though defeated, Fair Vote Nebraska said they had a lot of support in Hall County.

"This whole thing is not anything against Grand Island, but the people in Grand Island also didn't have the opportunity to vote on this. This was decided by the city council, the mayor and the chamber of commerce of Grand Island. They didn't got out ask the people to vote on this," said Roger Yant, Fair Vote Nebraska.

It's opposition G.I. will have to win over.

"It's imperative that we bring those parties back together and just say here's what we're working on. Here's why we're working on it. We want your ideas," Johnson said.

City leaders say a new study on the state fair's economic impact could strengthen their case.

"It was roughly a $64 million impact on the community of Grand Island," Johnson said.

That's just during the construction of the new fairgrounds, which Johnson hopes will begin next spring. Still, Fair Vote Nebraska said they're not giving up yet.

Yant said Fair Vote Nebraska still has an ace up their sleeve, and he expects to announce his plan B this week.

The G.I. chamber also said they'll have some big announcements in the coming weeks regarding funding, both private and public.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: allison on Jul 18, 2008 at 02:20 PM
the only reason the attendance might have went up is that they started letting people in free and had free concerts. I'm sure the actual profits from games and rides didn't go up. What I think is sad is the parternership with the Libraries that give kids the read and win packet- they get in free and get a few free things but the parents still have to pay for the rest. Its a joke- try explaining to your kids that your proud of them but can't afford to take them to enjoy the prizes- scam us again? have fun in GI!!!!

Posted by: Andrew on Jul 18, 2008 at 11:19 AM
"So what now?" GET OVER IT AND LET IT GO! I am so sick of hearing about this. The fair was in bad need of an overhaul. Maybe the move to GI is just what it needs to become something worthwhile again.

Posted by: Ryan on Jul 18, 2008 at 12:47 AM
Despite what others have claimed the attendance of the fair has NOT been declining. The last three years have shattered attendance records and brought the fair back into profitability. That's bad news for Grand Island: 45% of the states population live in Douglas and Lancaster county and millions of (now wasted) dollars were spent renovating the fairgrounds. Not only has a century of tradition been thrown out the window at the whim of UNL, Grand Island has landed itself in a much bigger pickle than I suspect it realizes (will the high population centers in eastern Nebraska drive to GI when gas is $5 a gallon?). It's not to say it can't be done but it will be a ton of work.

Posted by: So now what? on Jul 18, 2008 at 12:43 AM
It is sad to see a long held tradition leave. On the birght side, maybe UNL in its place can reasearch what to do about the pitbulls getting lose and injuring the public bringing all the pitbull owners to justice.

Posted by: Georgia on Jul 17, 2008 at 10:08 PM
The only reason I ever attended the fair was to show horses. The location was bad, the facilities were bad, the parking was horrible and the treatment of exhibitors was awful. I hope things improve in G.I. It used to be an honor to win the State Fair, and it should be again. However, I think the city/state should make UNL pay for the land if they want the property so bad. I'm sure that some of the wealthier UNL supporters could come up with the money.

Posted by: Nick on Jul 17, 2008 at 03:04 PM
thank goodness the fair is history in Lincoln! What a boring, crappy eyesore! Lincoln should be glad its gone and that GI is going to inherit the mess!

Posted by: awesome on Jul 17, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Take it away GI!!! Tired of all of the out of town trafic in my city and all of the people trying to "drive in the big city"!! yippee

Posted by: Craig on Jul 17, 2008 at 01:00 PM
I hope the fair NEVER comes to G.I. for us to pay for. Nothing against the fair, which we all love! Nebraska, however, has some of the highest property taxes in the U.S., and they intend to raise ours (Hall County) even further to pay for the fair to come here. You can all rest assured that if there were any real economic advantages to having the fair, Lincoln would NEVER give it up. Tradition? No opinion. Will it grow? Shrink? I don't know, but I do know if it comes to our town, our tax burden increases substantially and probably exponentially. We're already facing additional property tax due to the city spending the reserves down to a skeletal level. We can't afford this, folks!

Posted by: Dianne on Jul 17, 2008 at 10:07 AM
It is not about driving to GI for the fair! It is about losing a 107 year tradition, not to mention all of the other events that take place at state fair park each year and the historical buildings. The other obvious happening here is the underhanded politics and the lining of somebodies pockets to make the idea of this move possible. If we let UNL and their henchmen do this, what will they do next.

Posted by: Linda on Jul 17, 2008 at 08:23 AM
This issue is not about the location of the fair so much as it is about our right to vote and decide how we spend our tax dollars!!! Shame on NE and UNL.

Posted by: Dan on Jul 17, 2008 at 01:30 AM
How about you go to the State Fair when it moves and support your states economy just like you do ever other year regardless of 'tradition'. Who cares where it's at. Stop whining and just deal with it. Just be glad you still have it. I thought that the fair recently was just a boring waste of money and could have found much better things to do with my time. Let it go, and see how it does in GI, don't be a jerk and not go just because you want to prove a point, if you honestly don't like going, don't go. But if it is a 'tradition' of yours, then by all means, enjoy yourself and don't be a sore loser.

Posted by: anonymous on Jul 16, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Whats really sad is the fact that now the taxpayers will be saddled with How many millions to pay off??? After the University got the officials to give them the land,, as reported by the news,, they have about a 25 million dollar shortfall... no money???? and now with a recession starting wouldn't it have been prudent to wait a while before starting a project like this... and I do agree that there is not enough population base to sustain a state fair in G.I. It should have been left alone, not rammed down our throats......... At least let the population speak.......

Posted by: Mark on Jul 16, 2008 at 09:48 PM
Times change and ya gotta change with 'em. I wish everyone good luck and hope that the State Fair's new home is successful and that it brings wholesome quality entertainment to all.

Posted by: Albert on Jul 16, 2008 at 09:31 PM
You people in Lincoln are so jealous because the fair is leaving your beloved city. I for one a former beloved Lincolnite was glad to see the fair leave Lincoln. For the last ten years the attendence has been declining and you guys want to keep the fair in your town. The last fair I attended in 2003 the attendence was at a record low because of the attractions it had. It stopped having concerts at the Deavany Center because it too was expensive or they weren't no good. They lost a lot of money for it and they thought a change was for the best. Wait and see Nebraska you people will enjoy it more and have more people attending it from western Nebraska. Remeber this fair is for Nebraska not for people in Lincoln and eastern Nebraska.

Posted by: not a fair fan on Jul 16, 2008 at 09:13 PM
I have lived in lincoln for 20 years and never attend the fair. The rides and food are over priced, games are rigged, its over crowded and its more for teens and 20's not families with little kids on a budget. I personally don't care if it moves or not. However for those that do- if you love it so much why does it matter where it is? People drive from out of state for it, why can't you drive out of town? like connie said- people are just complaining because its moving away and gas is 4 bucks a gallon- it won't be as comvient for lincoln or omaha.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 16, 2008 at 06:36 PM
While it is sad to see the state fair leave Lincoln, I am glad to see the city of Grand Island get the nod to take it and make it a "true fair" again. Lincoln has finally made the change that has thrown agriculture out of the window and truely made itself a metro and the last time I knew, a fair is about agriculture. UNL was the only part of the fair that remained agriculture related. The FFA and 4-H buildings were embarassing as they continue to fall apart. I don't think Lincoln citizens have the right to say GI will cause the fair to die because it was near death in Lincoln. While minor upgrades flat lined the LOW attendance, it never picked up more visitors to help the fair. GI does and AMAZING job with Husker Harvest Days and I believe it can do an even better job with the Nebraska State Fair. Good Luck GI!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 16, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Connie-They are not "taking it away" as you claim. They are simply moving it to the CENTER of the state. You can still attend. It's about time you all realize what those from western Nebraska have been going through for the past 107 years. You took the fair for granted b/c it was in your backyard. Now that it won't be you aren't willing to support it.

Posted by: Connie on Jul 16, 2008 at 03:51 PM
It is a terrible shame when the people of Nebraska lose their state fair in Lincoln, the capitol city. It has a long history here--107 years here. And then to lose State Fair Park which brings in 27 million dollars every year not including the fair! I do feel the Legislature, the University and the City of Lincoln do not have the right to take this away from the people of Nebraska! The University has so much land now and plenty of space to build a Tech center! It did come to me when they now want a new building for LARGE classes and that building could not be built in the park---it had to be close to the classrooms! We Nebraskans will be paying for this for the rest of our lives and losing the Fair and State Fair Park too! I will miss the Antique Shows, the horse races, the car shows, the fun festivals at the park to name a few! We need enjoyment along with education and big money projects!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 16, 2008 at 02:58 PM
I love to shop in GI rather than Lincoln, the stores are not as picked over in GI. I bet that as the state fair grows in GI, the eating and shopping places will also grow... That is a GREAT thing for GI. Lincoln you will always have your stores and resturants, losing the fair will NOT take that away. Go to the county fair to support your city if you are so unhappy with the decision

Posted by: Vicky on Jul 16, 2008 at 01:34 PM
I always enjoy going to the state fair in Lincoln and I hate to see it moved. After the state fair we do some shopping and find a nice sit down place to eat. GI doesn't have the shopping or the restaurants that Lincoln has to offer. I suppose with the money they'll be losing, they'll increase ticket prices?

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 16, 2008 at 12:38 PM
I don't understand...Nebraskan's from out west have supported the state fair for years. Now that their are talks of moving the state fair to the center of the state, you easterners are willing to let it die. If the fair fails in GI it will be because of people like YOU Don, who are not willing to support it.

Posted by: Don on Jul 16, 2008 at 12:21 PM
A sad day for Nebraska and the tradition of a decade. I for one will be attending the last state fair I will be going to this year. It will be sad to see this end. By 2015 there will be buildings sitting in GI empty as nobody will go to the fair and it dies in a couple of years. What a waste of our tax dollars to move the fair. Where is GI going to get the money it needs to bring the fair there? What happens if they don't get their share of the money? Hope this issues were thought about before.