Work on the new site of the Nebraska State Fair has officially begun.

A groundbreaking was held in Grand Island Thursday, and more than 400 people came out to see the dirt turned.

But the ceremony stalled the real dirt work, which started Monday.

The usual horse race at Fonner Park has been replaced with a race against time.

"The equipment needs to be running when there's time to run," said Nebraska State Fair Board Chairman Jerry Fitzgerald.

Seconds after a ceremonial dirt turning at the new site of the Nebraska state fair, the real dirt work resumed.

"After the dirt's moved then we will come in and there will be cement pads laid. They'll have to define the buildings, lay the cement. Then the buildings will start going up on top of that," said Fitzgerald. "We've got a lot of things to get done here in a short period of time."

However, officials say the fair will go on even if a few doors are hung backwards or the paint is still wet.

"All the trees might not be planted. All the grass may not be laid. The buildings will be ready to go," said Fitzgerald.

"If we have to, city council will be out here painting walls," said Grand Island Mayor Margaret Hornady.

State leaders have thrown their support and confidence behind Grand Island.

"Sometimes you need a deadline, and it's a deadline that you think, 'oh my gosh, can I meet?'. Yes they can. These are can do people out here," said Governor Dave Heineman. "You've got a construction company with a history of doing projects on time and on budget."

Community leaders say Sampson Construction--and the weather--will determine when the job gets done.

"Where do the sewer lines go? Where do the electricity lines go? And yes, we'll be involved in that but we really do not have direct responsibility for the building," said Hornady.

Fitzgerald says he expects the state fair's attendance to continue to climb in Grand Island.

He says, the fair's success will be determined by programming.

Click on the video link above to watch interview clips with Governor Dave Heineman, Grand Island Mayor Margaret Hornady, and the Chairman of the Nebraska State Fair Board Jerry Fitzgerald.