Nebraska agriculture committee hears testimony supporting Dawn Caldwell’s reappointment to State Fair Board

Senator Barry DeKay, chair of the Nebraska Legislature Agriculture Committee, opened a confirmation hearing for Dawn Caldwell, the governor’s nominee to a third three-year term on the Nebraska State Fair Board.

The nomination drew consistent support from fair leadership and community backers who described Caldwell’s tenure as central to stabilizing fair operations and advancing facility repairs. “Governor Pillen has asked me to serve my third and final term,” Caldwell said in her remarks to the committee, describing her family’s multigenerational involvement in 4‑H, FFA and livestock showing.

The testimony outlined why supporters view Caldwell as a stabilizing presence. Jaime Parr, executive director of the Nebraska State Fair, said Caldwell helped secure funding and internal leadership changes after years of financial strain and flooding on the fairgrounds. “Dawn Caldwell has been integral to my, success at the Nebraska State Fair,” Parr told the committee, adding that staff turnover and stormwater damage had been significant challenges.

Parr and Caldwell described a current capital project funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to address flooding on the fairgrounds. Parr said the ARPA work is contracted and expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Caldwell noted the project was intended to eliminate recurring flooding problems that once left the grounds impassible, quipping that it would mean “no more kayaks going through the through Corn Dog Row, as we call it.”

Witnesses emphasized partnerships that support the fair’s operations. Committee members heard that University of Nebraska Extension oversees 4‑H competitions and manages the Raising Nebraska exhibit space, and that FFA representatives also work closely with fair staff on youth competitions. Parr described a full-time staff of 18 year‑round employees who run the fair and help the venue host other events throughout the year.

Committee members asked about facility ownership, revenue streams and attendance. Parr said Fonner Park owns the fair campus and that the state fair covers operating costs for its months on site (utilities, insurance and other expenses) but does not pay a conventional rent. She identified gate admission, exhibitor entries, sponsorships and constitutionally‑allocated lottery funds as the main revenue streams. Caldwell told senators the lottery allocation is enshrined in the state’s current arrangements and that the fair’s budget can vary by “a hundred or $200,000” from year to year depending on lottery receipts.

Supporters also described demand pressures. Caldwell and Parr said the fair often sells out vendor space and lacks competitive‑exhibit capacity after moving some open‑class exhibits to other buildings; the fair’s master plan calls for additional expo buildings, and Caldwell said private fundraising is being pursued to add at least one new building.

Traci Meneke, a proponent, described Caldwell as a mentor and longtime volunteer and encouraged the committee to confirm the reappointment. “Dawn isn’t just a leader, she’s the kind of leader who makes you want to be better, work harder, and enjoy some laughs along the way,” Meneke said.

No opponents testified and no committee vote was recorded in the transcript. The hearing concluded after supporters and the nominee answered senators’ questions.

The committee discussion combined a confirmation hearing with a review of operational priorities: finishing ARPA‑funded stormwater work, expanding vendor and exhibit capacity, maintaining the constitutional lottery allocation, and continuing partnerships with Extension and community stakeholders. The record shows broad support from fair staff and volunteers but does not record a final confirmation vote.