New State Fair Director Says Better Times Ahead Despite Pandemic, Audit

With just over a month until a scaled-down Nebraska State Fair opens in Grand Island, the event’s new executive director says the future is bright despite recent obstacles.

Bill Ogg was hired in May and takes over a State Fair that’s seen financial struggles, layoffs and bad weather. This week, a state audit revealed what appear to be unauthorized and potentially illegal payments to the fair’s former finance director. The State Fair has since tightened internal accounting controls.

"Going forward, we will submit a request for proposal for accounting services and make sure that we’re on track to fully comply with all the recommendations of the audit," Ogg said.

This year the State Fair will consist mostly of FFA and 4-H showcases and probably won’t include any carnival rides or concerts. Many fairs across the country have cancelled completely, but Ogg thinks Nebraska’s can be held safely.

"We can do that within the COVID-19 guidelines, so that can be very safely and respectfully done and allow us to, in this turbulent time, celebrate," Ogg says. "It is challenging, but we have to celebrate our youth and our future and we will be allowed to do that."

The State Fair begins on August 28.