Adjoining Facilities | Heartland Events Center (2025)

The Heartland Events Center and Fonner Park share space in the Hugh Miner AdministrativeOffices. The administrative offices are located above the 4-H Café on the Fonner Park Campus.

The Fonner Park Executive Board Room is located next to the offices and seats 12 comfortably. This space is available for rental on a limited basis.

The Fonner Park Executive Suite is situated next door to the administrative offices and overlooks the Fonner Park Racetrack. This luxurious suite is a popular spot during live racing. The outdoor veranda attached to the suite is another nice feature of this space. Corporate sponsors and their guests are frequent visitors in the suite during the live race meet. When not in use, this space is available for rental and can seat approximately 50 people.

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The FONNER PARK RACETRACK/GRANDSTAND/CLUBHOUSE/TURF CLUB/TRIPLE CROWN CLUB provide the winning ticket for fun and entertainment during the regular LIVE Thoroughbred race season that runs annually from late February through early May.

FACILITY INFORMATION AND AMENITIES

For more information, contact the Fonner Park General Office at 308.382.4515. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central, Monday through Friday. The office is open on weekends during the Fonner Park live race meet.

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The FONNER PARK CONCOURSE, initially built as a part of the Horse Racing industry, continues to be a mainstay for events at Fonner Park each year. This space offers flexibility for trade shows, 4-H events, exhibit space, banquets and many other events year-round. Home of the Racing Hall of Fame, this exhibit is open to the public at no additional cost.

FACILITY INFORMATION AND AMENITIES

For more information, contact the Director of Sales & Marketing at 308.382.4515 extension 221. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.

Campus Map Facility Layout-Main Concourse Facility Layout-South Concourse

FONNER KENO & FINISH LINE RESTAURANT

Live Draw Keno – 7 days a week housed within the full service Finish Line Restaurant is a win-win for every sports enthusiast. Over 160 televisions simulcasting from all major tracks across the nation, and other televised sporting events. Whether you enjoy betting the ponies, playing Keno or watching football, basketball, golf or other sporting events, this is the sports lovers dream come true!

FACILITY INFORMATION AND AMENITIES

For more information, contact the Fonner Park General Office at 308.382.4515. Offices hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central, Monday through Friday.

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The FONNER PARK 4-H CAFE provides a multi purpose space for events throughout each year. This facility provides for seating up to 300 and is the perfect size for 4-H events, family reunions, meetings, pizza feeds and other events.

FACILITY INFORMATION AND AMENITIES

For more information, contact the Director of Sales & Marketing at 308.382.4515 extension 221. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central, Monday through Friday.

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The FIVE POINTS BANK ARENA, initially built for the Nebraska State Fair has become the shining star for hosting National Livestock events the other ten months of the year. This premier arena with state-of-the-art audio and video systems provide for top notch shows. Grand Island's central location, easy accessibility and mid-western hospitality continue to draw new and repeat groups to this arena and the attached barns and exhibition facilities each year.

FACILITY INFORMATION AND AMENITIES

For more information, contact the Director of Sales & Marketing at 308.382.4515, extension 221. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central, Monday through Friday.

Campus Map Facility Layout

The PINNACLE BANK EXPO CENTER, provides 100,000 square feet (224' x 450') of exhibition space. This climate-controlled facility with over 270-20 amp drop-down electrical outlets, concrete flooring and multiple overhead doors is perfect for trade shows, conventions and large banquets.

FACILITY INFORMATION AND AMENITIES

For more information, contact the Director of Sales & Marketing at 308.382.4515 extension 221. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.

Campus Map Facility Layout

The SHEEP BARN, attached to the Five Points Bank Arena, offers the flexibility of small animal pens, cattle ties and poultry cages. This facility shares many of the same state-of-the-art amenities as the Tom Dinsdale Automotive Cattle Barn including multiple overhead doors, extra wide load/unload aisles, and wash racks. The showman's ability to conveniently move their animals between the Sheep Barn and the Five Points Bank Arena without outdoor exposure is an added feature of this barn.

Grand Island's central location, easy accessibility and mid-western hospitality continue to draw new and repeat groups to the arena and attached barns and exhibition facilities each year.

FACILITY INFORMATION AND AMENITIES

For more information, contact the Director of Sales & Marketing at 308.382.4515 extension 221. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.

Campus Map Facility Layout

The TOM DINSDALE AUTOMOTIVE CATTLE BARN attached to the Five Points Bank Arena offers Rock Bottom Tie Stalls for up to 1,350 head of cattle. An outdoor tie out area is located adjacent to the back side of this facility. The strategically planned wide drive thru loading/unloading aisle provides for easy and quick load in and load out with cattle trailers. The wash racks in this facility coupled with the ease of moving livestock to and from the show arena without having to expose them to the outdoors is every showman's vision.

Grand Island's central location, easy accessibility and mid-western hospitality continue to draw new and repeat groups to the arena and the attached barns and exhibition facilities each year.

FACILITY INFORMATION AND AMENITIES

For more information, contact the Director of Sales & Marketing at 308.382.4515 extension 221. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.

Campus Map Facility Layout

The Equine Warm Up Arena, located west of the Tom Dinsdale Automotive Cattle Barn, offers an auxiliary area to warm up horses prior to show time in the Five Points Bank Arena. An outdoor tie out area is located adjacent to the building. The west portion of this facility provides storage space for the horse stalls when not in use.

Grand Island's central location, easy accessibility and mid-western hospitality continue to draw new and repeat groups to this complex of state-of-the-art facilities each year. Fonner Park is poised and ready to be the host site for your next Equine event.

For more information, contact the Director of Sales & Marketing at 308.382.4515 extension 221.

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.

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The THOMPSON FOODS INDOOR & US FOODS OUTDOOR ARENA are the finest Equine Center in central Nebraska. Each year the Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Show is held in Grand Island. Multiple other repeat horse shows in addition to the Nebraska State Fair equine events keep this facility busy each year.

In 2016 the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation kicked off a major fundraising campaign to replace the outdoor equine arena. The new 60,000 square foot US Foods Outdoor Arena is a state-of-the-art equine arena featuring covered grandstand seating for 750 spectators and is fully ADA compliant. Modern amenities include: Priefert holding pens, bucking and roping chutes, 55' x 85' custom livestock shade structure, 12' x 24' announcer’s booth with electrical hookups and storage room. Additional amenities include high quality lighting, professional grade sound system and ample parking. This arena is perfect for rodeo and other equine shows and competitions.

Lying adjacent to the Equine Center are horse barns for up to 1200 horses. These barns are utilized during the Fonner Park live horse race meet each February through May. During and prior to the live race meet, this area of the property is only accessible to individuals licensed by the Nebraska State Racing Commission. The Equine Center and horse barns are not available to outside events from January 1 through mid May each year.

Grand Island's central location, easy accessibility and mid-western hospitality continue to draw new and repeat Equine Shows to these arenas.

For more information, contact the Fonner Park General Office at 308.382.4515. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central, Monday through Friday.

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The AURORA COOPERATIVE PAVILION has quickly become one of the most versatile facilities on the Fonner Park Campus. During the Nebraska State Fair this facility is utilized for Swine and Alpaca/Llama shows. The other ten months of the year this arena has become multi-functional. Wedding receptions, fundraisers, cattle sales, large implement training, liquidation sales, teen dances, craft shows and an unlimited list of other events continue to be attracted to this space. This building has become a real gem sitting next to the larger livestock facilities and nicely complements the Jr. National Livestock shows each summer.

Grand Island's central location, easy accessibility and midwestern hospitality continue to draw new and repeat groups to the arena and attached barns and exhibition facilities each year.

FACILITY INFORMATION AND AMENITIES

For more information, contact the Director of Sales & Marketing at 308.382.4515 extension 221. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.

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Facility Layout

The Nebraska State Fair is an annual 11-day event that is held at the end of August through early September each year, ending on Labor Day. The fair is hosted at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Nebraska.

The Nebraska State Fair offers insights into the unique culture of Nebraska. It is built on 150 years of tradition and showcases the talent, products and people of Nebraska. Here, Nebraskans come together to experience the latest technological advancements in agriculture, first-class entertainment and the most delectable and extraordinary food the state has to offer. Like many state fairs, the Nebraska State Fair includes a competitive livestock exhibition, farming equipment trade show, and competitions in other fields, such as handmade crafts and baked goods.

For full details about the Nebraska State Fair, visit www.statefair.org.

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The BIG RED BARN is utilized primarily for stalling horses during the Live Race Meet and 4-H events.

The Fonner Park live horse race meet is held each February through May. During and prior to the live race meet, this area of the property is only accessible to individuals licensed by the Nebraska State Racing Commission. The Big Red Barn is not available for outside events from January 1 through mid May each year.

FACILITY INFORMATION AND AMENITIES

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The RV PARKwas builtin conjunction with the arrival of the Nebraska State Fair in 2010. The RV Park is not open to the general public. During the State Fair, the RV Park is open to vendors and carnival staff. From October through July, the RV Park is available only if the RV owner is participating in an event at Fonner Park and the Heartland Events Center.

FACILITY INFORMATION AND AMENITIES

For more information, contact the Fonner Park General Office308.382.4515 extension 213. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.

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The Nebraska Building was constructed in 2013 and opened its doors in 2014. This building is located on the Fonner Park Campus. The Nebraska State Fair takes possession of the Fonner Park Campus each August and September to set up and host the 11-day Nebraska State Fair before cleaning up and returning the property to Fonner Park. During these 60 days, the campus operates as the Nebraska State Fairgrounds, whereas the other ten months of the year the property operates as Fonner Park.

The Nebraska State Fair Offices are located on the second level of the Nebraska Building. Please direct Nebraska State Fair questions to their office:

Nebraska State Fair Administration Office

501 E. Fonner Park Rd.
Suite 200
Grand Island, NE 68801
Phone: 308.382.1620

Office Hours

Monday- Friday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM; 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Website: statefair.org

Raising Nebraska is an interactive experience spanning every inch of its 25,000 square feet, focusing on where Nebraska agriculture is today – and how the state is positioned for global leadership in feeding the world. Raising Nebraska is designed to let people see agriculture from virtually every angle – from water conservation to soil health, from animal well being to food safety, from invention to innovation, from economic impact to global hunger.

Raising Nebraska is located on the first level of the Nebraska Building. Please direct Raising Nebraska questions to the following:

Sara Polak
P.O. Box 2198
Grand Island, NE 68802-2198

308-385-3967
Email:spolak2@unl.edu

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The Community Fieldhouse is located on the north end of the Fonner Park property and is utilized for FFA and FHA Exhibits during the Nebraska State Fair. The other ten months of the year this building is operated by the City of Grand Island as the Community Fieldhouse, providing facilities for many types of sporting events and sports leagues. Please direct questions pertaining to the Community Fieldhouse to the following:

City of Grand Island

Parks and Recreation Department
100 East First St.
Grand Island, NE 68801
Telephone: 308-384-1999

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The Island Oasis Water Park is a fabulous 6-acre facility located on the north edge of the Fonner Park grounds, attracting tens of thousands of water enthusiasts of all ages during the summer months. Please direct questions pertaining to the Island Oasis Water Park to the following:

City of Grand Island

Parks and Recreation Department
100 East First St.
Grand Island, NE 68801
Telephone: 308-385-5381 [Before or after season call (308) 385-5444 ext. 290]

http://www.grand-island.com/your-government/parks-and-recreation/island-oasis-water-park

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The Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial on the grounds at Fonner Park in Grand Island was dedicated Monday,May 11, 2009. The dark granite memorial with 145 names etched into its surface honors those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and to those who still answer the call. We honor them.

Please direct questions pertaining to theNebraska Law Enforcement Memorial to:

Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial

P.O. Box 595
Milford, Nebraska 68405

http://www.nememorial.org/

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Fire Station #1 is located on the north side of the Fonner Park property and is operated by the Grand Island Fire Department.

City of Grand Island

Fire Department
100 East First St.
Grand Island, NE 68801
Telephone: 308-389-0220