GRAND ISLAND — The 73nd racing season at Fonner Park kicked off Saturday, Feb. 14 in Grand Island, a springtime tradition in central Nebraska.
“The heart of Fonner Park is the live thoroughbred race meet which runs from mid-February through early May. During the live meet, many events such as craft shows, family activities, recreational shows, and giveaways along with special races highlight the season,” per the Fonner Park website.
“The timeline of Fonner Park begins in the 1950’s, back to a time when the farmland property set on the outskirts of Grand Island was owned and operated by Gus and Emma Fonner,” according to the Fonner Park website.
“A group of civic-minded businessmen met in 1953 to organize the Hall County Livestock Improvement Association for the purpose of locating a permanent home for the Hall County Fair, complete with buildings which consisted of barns, a grandstand and also a race track. Gus Fonner was a charter member of the Association. He and Emma sold their land that became known as Fonner Park to the Association,” per the website.
