State Fair Auctions Off Memorabilia

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Updated: 6:41 PM Nov 1, 2009 State Fair Auctions Off Memorabilia Lincoln Whether it was to get a good deal. Or to take home a piece of history. Hundreds of people turned out at the State Fair Park Auction. Posted: 2:54 PM Oct 31, 2009 Reporter: Terra Hall Email Address: Terra.Hall@1011now.com

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Whether it was to get a good deal or to take home a piece of history, hundreds of people turned out at the State Fair Park Auction.

"I was a little bit curious about any bargains and I did end up with a bargain or two, so I was happy," said David Nore of Hickman.

"My family, we've been showing here at the state fair for lots of years, lots of years," Julie Thernes of Hooper. "It means a lot to us just to have a part of the state fair, a little bit of the memory of it being in Lincoln."

"I was brought here by my grandpa when I was a little boy. He used to work here at the fair," said Nore. "It's just a piece of history that you can take home and it's useful at the same time."

During the 108 years the State Fair took place in Lincoln, it accumulated all kinds of treasures. Now Ford and Ford Auctioneers of Lincoln are selling all the old stuff to help fund the next year's fair.

"We simply don't need all of this equipment in Grand Island and it's accumulated over the years. Some of it's fairly old," said Joseph McDermott, Nebraska State Fair Board Executive Director. "It'll help move the Nebraska State fair to Grand Island. It'll help replace some equipment that's need in Grand Island. It'll go to help put up the buildings in Grand Island. But it's all going into the relocation fund."

And as for the buyers, they're happy their purchases mean they can keep a piece of the old state fair memories and help with the new fair in Grand Island.

"It was a bit of the state fair nostalgia. I got a bargain and history at the same time," said Nore.

The sale is broken into two parts. Most of the big stuff, such as heavy equipment, vehicles, livestock pens and stalls, was sold today. Tomorrow the shop equipment, bleachers, furniture and electrical and plumbing supplies will be auctioned from noon until it's all gone.

Viewing Sunday begins at nine.

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