Nebraska Set for National Spotlight at America 250 State Fair in Washington, D.C.

LINCOLN, NEB — Nebraska will be featured on a national stage later this month as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.

Gov. Jim Pillen joined business and community leaders Monday to preview the state’s participation in the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C.

The event runs June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall and will showcase exhibits from states and territories as part of the America 250 celebration.

Nebraska’s pavilion will highlight the state’s industries, history and culture, with participation from organizations including Union Pacific, Werner Enterprises, Tenaska, Valley Irrigation, Boys Town, Nebraska Public Power District, the Nebraska State Fair and History Nebraska.

“We’re really, really excited to partner with the businesses and organizations that are supporting Nebraska’s pavilion,” Pillen said. “We’re going to do a ton of bragging about Nebraska’s culture and traditions, our businesses, innovations and ideas.”

Union Pacific, founded in 1862, will be a centerpiece exhibit, highlighting its role in building the transcontinental railroad, completed in 1869 with the Golden Spike in Promontory, Utah.

Today, the Omaha-based railroad operates a freight network spanning 23 states.

“At our Nebraska pavilion, we’re going to give people the opportunity to be an engineer for a day,” said Eric Gehringer, executive vice president at Union Pacific. “We’re going to have a simulator there so both children and adults can see what it takes to help build America.”

Other exhibits will feature agriculture technology from Valley Irrigation, Nebraska’s public power system, Boys Town, the Nebraska State Fair and History Nebraska.

History Nebraska will highlight the 1879 Standing Bear court decision in Omaha, which recognized Native Americans as persons under U.S. law, along with the origins of Arbor Day in Nebraska.

“I want people to come away with a very, very clear picture of what’s made Nebraska who we are,” Pillen said.

Following the announcement, Pillen also updated the wildfire in the Nebraska Panhandle, saying it has burned about 35,000 acres and is roughly 10% contained. Nebraska National Guard aircraft and firefighters are assisting with suppression efforts near Fort Robinson.

The Great American State Fair opens June 25 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.