The state fair begins in just 10 days on August 28th, and it's being kicked off with a big show. Lee Ann Womack will perform live that Friday night in the open air auditorium, but that's just one of the many famous names coming to celebrate Lincoln's last state fair, and the big shows are expected to bring an even bigger crowd.

The Nebraska State Fair has been around for more than 100 years, and has spent time in Nebraska City, Brownville, Omaha, and is now ending it's reign in Lincoln.

"Because this is the last fair here in Lincoln, we are anticipating larger crowds," said the fair's Executive Director Joseph McDermott.

And to entertain those crowds, McDermott says they've got some big shows this year, but for the first time in a while, not all of them are free.

"For probably the past seven or eight years, we have done free concerts which have been very popular, but we did want to bring back some paid concerts," said McDermott. "We have Hall and Oates on Saturday the 29th, and then on that Sunday the 6th, we have Montgomery Gentry, that's something new," he said.

The paid concerts will take place in the grandstand, but some other popular artists set to grace the open air auditorium for free include country's great Randy Travis, Bret Michaels, and Lee Ann Womack.

But with the anticipated crowds these stars will draw, the State Fair Grounds might not have enough parking, a situation solved by extra lots on North 27th Street, where people will be able to park, and take a shuttle bus to the fair.

"They will be running 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., so if people want to make a pretty easy trip to the fair, they can go park in those lots and just ride the bus into the fairgrounds," said McDermott.

A new midway is taking over the kids' favorite part of the fair - rides. From old classics like the bumper cars, to the newest trends in amusements, organizers say this year's Nebraska State Fair will be one to remember, as they move forward with the tradition next year, in Grand Island.

The fair runs from next Friday, August 28th through Labor Day, on Monday, September 7th. Admission this year is $8.00 for adults and $2.00 for kids. The two paid concerts will cost $12.00 per ticket.

For a schedule of all the shows and events, and to purchase tickets online, just click on the link below.