Data is being gathered on the traditional dates of state fairs across the nation, the entry costs, the key events and whether the state fair is held in the state capital.
"Twenty are," said Lindsay Luth, who is conducting the research.
Luth isn't part of the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce, which is leading Grand Island's State Fair effort. Nor is she a Nebraska State Fair employee.
She's a fifth-grader at West Lawn Elementary School in Grand Island.
Luth is conducting the state fair research as part of a more comprehensive fact-gathering venture on all 50 of the United States.
All the data she gathers will be compiled in a Web site she's designing for her High Ability Learner program project. That Web site will also be her competition piece for the Nebraska Educational Technology Association conference in April in Omaha.
"She is very creative," said Wanda Stelk, a teacher for West Lawn's High Ability Learner program. "She's got a lot of determination and is easy to work with."
Luth has done the bulk of her state fair research at home, but is beginning to compile it into an outline during her individual project time at school.
She has learned that while most state fairs occur during late August and early September - others occur in October, such as in Alabama and Arizona.
Louisiana's state fair carries into November, while Florida's is in February.
"Rhode Island and Connecticut don't really have a state fair," Luth said. "They have larger county fairs."
"And Texas - they have four state fairs!" she said.
Luth said Texas is broken down geographically, with state fairs in four different locations.
Some fairs capitalize on agricultural shows - others on entertainment.
While most entry fees are in the $12 to $15 range, some are into the $20s.
"It's amazing," Luth's mother, Janice, said of the variety and type of data her daughter is gathering.
While Luth said she really enjoys the learning, she has a real soft spot for the Nebraska State Fair, which always falls during her birthday.
During this past fair, she celebrated turning 11 by riding "Big Ben" - a ride that rises slowly and drops fast straight down. She also had some of her fair favorites - cotton candy and Dippin' Dots.
"To me, going to the State Fair is like going on vacation," Luth said.
She also admits a state fair in the state capital is way cool and "really makes it special."
Luth said she's a little disappointed Nebraska's State Fair will move from the state capital of Lincoln, but she's excited it's coming to Grand Island and absolutely won't pass up attendance.
Once Luth's research is done, it may have a value far beyond her own learning. It may be something that Grand Island's elected and community leaders want to know about as they prepare for the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island in 2010.
Stelk said Luth could prepare a PowerPoint presentation on her findings. Luth has done such computer preparation and program delivery in the past.
"She's an excellent presenter," Stelk said of Luth.
