By Steve White swhite@nebraska.tv
Facebook / Twitter @NTVsSteveWhite
As drought continues to intensify, Nebraska State Fair organizers are trying to be mindful of the very farmers they celebrate.
From water for cattle to fans that provide relief for some of the nation's coolest barns, when it comes to extreme heat, the Nebraska State Fair has already experienced it this summer.
State Fair Board member Tam Allan said, "We went through a good trial by fire -- tough temperatures during all the junior national shows and it went through very well."
Three national cattle shows in three straight weeks put the new fairgrounds to the test last month in 100 degree heat.
Some fairs have been struggling with attendance and livestock conditions in the heat, but not Nebraska.
Allan said, "We are blessed. When I talk to other fairs -- Springfield, Missouri fair is going on right now and they don't have facilities we have."
The community and fairgrounds are ramping up for year number three in Grand Island.
Decorated hay bales will soon sprout up to promote the fair, based on designs submitted recently.
State Fair Facilities Director Jaime Parr said, "There are some fantastic sketches. Some of them I question how they're going to bring to real life. Last two years they've done a great job with that."
But NTV wondered, what happens to that hay after the fair? That question got organizers
thinking of a way to help this drought-stricken state.
Parr looked into it, and says she feels good about what they came up with.
"Knowing bales will be used for feed afterwards, we have talked to a provider to make sure
we're not wasting precious hay and they will be used after the fair," she said.
Conditions are be mixed on the farm. Drought follows years of record profits in agriculture. Regardless, fair leaders say they want to take care of the farmers who take care of the fair.
