The Nebraska State Fair ends its century-plus run in Lincoln on Monday. While buildings are going up in Grand Island where the fair moves to next summer, city officials are laying a foundation with fairgoers.

As the Grand Island Senior High Marching Band made its way through the fairgrounds, they realized that next year it will be a lot closer to home. "Yeah, that'll be nice, but I'll miss the trip,” said student Tracie Coleman. “The bus rides are a lot of fun."

It's a feeling many fairgoers are starting to grasp. "I didn't realize that I had stuff to finish up here, it's just weird,” said Bonnie Paschold of Firth, Nebraska. “I'm kind of sad. There's a lot of nostalgia here for me."

To handle the heartbroken and deal with the disgruntled, Grand Island opened a booth to explain the move. Staff said they've spent the past few days simply listening.

"Once they know that we understand and that we know it's going to be hard for them, they kind of open up to us and open up to the idea,” said Abbie Welliver of Grand Island.

The booth is having visitors write comments and concerns for next year's fair. The city knows they can't substitute tradition.

"This is 107 years in the making and that Grand Island can't be this in one year,” said Tricia Beem of Grand Island. “What we have is a good starting point."

Some are steadfast in their disapproval. "I don't think so, right now I'm thinking we're not going to go,” said Angie Lanik of Lincoln on attending next year.

Booth officials said more people are coming in with a positive outlook.