(Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND – At the Nebraska State Fair, tradition and creativity share the same space. The 2026 fair food lineup pairs the classics families come back for every year with a wave of new and unique creations from concessionaires who are having a lot of fun pushing the envelope.
“There’s really something for everyone this year,” said Keaton Irwin, Nebraska State Fair Sales Director. “Tradition and creativity don’t have to compete with each other. We can have the foods families have made part of their Fair tradition for years and, a few feet away, a concessionaire serving something you’ve probably never seen before.”
Marquee new foods
A few of the standouts debuting in 2026:
Buckin’ Boar’s Nest (Cactus Jack’s) — pecan wood-smoked pulled pork piled with creamy mac & cheese, crispy pickles, crunchy onion straws, and their new Buckin’ Bistro Sauce.
Elotes Cheese Curds (Cheese Curds) — fresh cheese curds battered with elotes corn, dusted with chili powder, and served with spicy mayo.
The Smoked Khan (Talagios Pizzeria) — a wood-fired pizza blending Italian, Lebanese, and Mongolian flavors with garlic toum, ginger-infused rice, smoked beef, mozzarella and provolone, fresh vegetables, and Mongolian BBQ sauce.
Spicy Nebraskan (Shuckers Roasted Corn) — a Nebraska spin on a California roll: a fresh cucumber stuffed with spicy seafood salad and avocado, finished with spicy mayo and everything bagel seasoning.
Papa’s Pizza Grilled Cheese (Cheese Love Grill) — pepperoni, marinara, mozzarella, garlic butter, and Italian seasoning toasted into a grilled cheese and finished with hot honey.
The Breakfast Sampler (Kings Funnel Cakes) — three breakfast favorites in one: a fried egg with sriracha, fried sausage with syrup, and a fried cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting and powdered sugar.
Those are just a taste. Many more new creations will be showcased at the New & Unique Food Contest, held Opening Day, Friday, August 28, directly after opening ceremonies.
New for 2026, the Fair will have two stands dedicated entirely to gluten-free offerings, along with many more concessionaires across the grounds serving gluten-free items and options for guests with other dietary restrictions. The Fair gathered more detailed information from concessionaires this year so guests don’t have to wander wondering what might work for them — and those options are now searchable through the Nebraska State Fair app, making it easier to find choices and where to get them.
The classics are all here, too. Banana Man’s chocolate-covered bananas are always a Fair favorite — with maybe a few extra sprinkles this year. Guests will find elephant ears, a new turkey leg stand joining the lineup, and longtime concessionaire Ol’ Tex BBQ back again.
“Our concessionaires have really embraced the new and unique side of the Fair this year — they’re getting creative, combining flavors, and coming up with some pretty crazy ideas — but we’ve still got all those classic staples,” Irwin said.
From longtime family favorites to international offerings like Afrikan Delights, the range runs wide. His recommendation is simple: “Come hungry, keep an open mind, and try something you normally wouldn’t.”
It All Happens Here: The 2026 Nebraska State Fair returns to Fonner Park in Grand Island for its 17th year, running Friday, August 28 through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. More information is available at www.StateFair.org.
Dining and Cooking