As the Nebraska State Fair celebrates its 139th year, there are mixed reviews at the fairgrounds about whether the state fair should leave Lincoln and move to Grand Island in 2010.

The numbers speak for themselves. Attendance through the first three days of the fair was up more than 15 percent from last year. It seems as though state fair regulars are growing more and more nostalgic as they continue to hear the clock tick on the fair's first move since 1901.

Frank and Barbara were entertaining the crowds at the state fair's older Nebraskans festival. The show was a big success, but the thought of the state fair leaving Lincoln was not.

"My thoughts are they're going to lose a lot of people. I think people at this end of the state aren't gonna go out there," said Fred Ferraro, Lincoln

"I don't think it's going to last in Grand Island maybe two or three years," said Elaine Sanley, Lincoln.

Despite some of the prevailing negativity, Grand Island representatives were eager to share their excitement with the rest of the state.

Melissa Griffith heard it from both sides.

"You know, we've had people that are more than excited, and we've had some people that are questioning the move. I think anytime you change, people get hesitant. Change is hard, but we're here to make that transition smooth and to answer any questions and to promote Grand Island," said said Melissa Griffith, Conestoga Mall marketing director.

"Some people have never made it out to Grand Island, so they do not know what Grand Island has to offer and what there is to do out there so we're here to answer questions and get em pumped up and excited."

And fair-goers like Michelle Tomhave are optimistic about the move.

"I've been coming to the fair since I was 13. So it's gone through its growing pains, and honestly I think going to Grand Island -- it'll be interesting to see what they'll do with it. I mean, it is the state fair. It's still in the state. We haven't lost it. So at least they're still giving it a chance and they're not going away totally," said Michelle Tomhave, Valparaiso.

State fair officials said at least 86,000 people came through the gates on the first three days of the Nebraska State Fair. That was up from 75,000 at the same time last year.

One fair official said the increase in attendance may be due to people wanting to relive the good ol' days at the state fair.