LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Nebraska State Fair, now under way at the fairgrounds in Lincoln where it’s been held for more than a century, is preparing to move to Grand Island in 2010.

Some vendors said they are already looking back on many successful years and looking forward to a future they consider uncertain.

Laurie Novak, the owner of Lolo’s, has been serving up hot dogs, burgers and bratwurst at the fair for as long as she can remember.

“I started working at Lolo’s when I was 12 years old, in 1966,” she said. “I’ve been here every day, every fair since then.”

She said the 2010 fair brings the prospect of a big change.

“With a heavy heart, I look at this fair and the next fair and then we’ll have to make a plan to go to Grand Island,” Novak said.

Novak said her customers are what make the fairground so special.

“Customers who come back to our trailer for our good food and good service,” she said. “So it’s really the people connection, I think, that’s meant the most to me and I guess I’m hoping we don’t lose that when we move to Grand Island.”

The fair is more than food, though. Guests can spin a lottery wheel, milk a cow and see farm animals made of sand.

“I’ve been to fairs across the country and this is definitely one of the better ones,” said sand sculptor Brad Goll.

The fair’s executive director, Barney Cosner, said he hopes everyone feels that way.

“Even if you come for one day, (there are) opportunities to learn and be educated and create a memory or two,” he said. “You get to experience things at the Nebraska State Fair you can’t experience at any other event.”

“It’s the best. You just can’t describe it to people. You just have to come out and be part of it,” said Novak. “They have to experience it.”