Fonner Park

Due to financial hardships, the former 80-acre Hall County fairground was sold in 1932. In April 1953 area farmers, ranchers, and civic leaders founded two organizations to establish a new permanent home for the Hall County Fair and to build a Thoroughbred horse racetrack in Central Nebraska.

The Hall County Agricultural Society included representatives from every district in the county, providing leadership and structure for fair operations. The Hall County Livestock Improvement Association was incorporated by thirty businessmen and farmers, who secured 80 acres of land from Gus and Emma Fonner and began raising funds to construct a 5/8-mile horse racetrack, paddock, grandstand, barns, and livestock exhibition building. Fonner Park's first agricultural cultural show, the Old Reliable Hereford Show, was held on February 2, 1954.

Since April 29, 1954, Fonner Park has been home to Central Nebraska's only Thoroughbred racetrack and the Hall County Fair. In 2010, Fonner Park became the new permanent home of the Nebraska State Fair.