Grand Island is now the new home of the Nebraska State Fair, after having been in Lincoln for so many years. They have all-new exhibition buildings constructed for it, giving this event a new boost for future growth. In particular, one improvement over the old site is a climate-controlled birthing room, which is one of the fair's main attractions.
Grand Island is farther from the population center, but closer to the geographical center of Nebraska. In my opinion, it is not too much of a pain for people from Omaha (Nebraska's largest city) to drive there, than when they had to drive to Lincoln, since it is still a fairly easy drive just about eighty miles further down Interstate 80, Nebraska's "main street".
There is not much to say about the fair in words, that pictures can't do a better job explaining. So here goes it:
Nebraska's 2010 high school football season kicked off on August 26. Nebraska divides the competition into different levels, with Class A being the highest division. Week one saw several good matchups, including Millard West hosting Omaha North and Creighton Prep hosting Millard North. Millard West justified their #2 preseason ranking by defeating Omaha North by a score of 35-19, and Creighton Prep eeked out a close win over Millard North, by a score of 7-6 at UNO's Al Caniglia Field, which Creighton Prep uses as their regular home turf. In week two I saw visiting Fremont defeat Omaha Northwest 27-7.
Jazz guitarist Calvin Keys, son of drummer Otis Keys, is one of Omaha's native sons. At age 17, Calvin first hit the road to Kansas City, and eventually working with the Jimmy Smith Trio. In 1969 he moved to Los Angeles, and soon after cut his first album with the Black Jazz record label. By 1975 he had relocated to the San Francisco bay area, and has been there since. Over his career he has worked with such personalities as Ray Charles, Ahmad Jamal, Carmen McCrea, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson, Gloria Lynn, M.C. Hammer, Sonny Stitt, Tony Bennett, and Luther Vandross.
There is only one Sarpy County in the USA, and they have one of the best county fairs around. It is in the town of Springfield, which has that small-town atmosphere not far from the city. They have rodeos and demolition derbys. They have kettle corn that is bigger than any popcorn you have seen. They have concerts with local bands, all the classic carnival rides, 4-H club displays, a beer garden, bingo hall, cattle and chickens and other animals on display, some exotic. They have a petting zoo, tractors on display, a mechanical bull, politicians' booths and a whole lot more.
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