BIG ISLAND, Nebraska — The heat wave has left some vendors exhausted, but the expected cooling could bring more crowds to the Nebraska State Fair.

Leon’s Turns Up the Heat with Tasty Tacos. Enrique Leon holds the title for Best New Fairground Food, but he’s feeling the heat at this summer slam.

“Nobody wants to eat something hot on a hot day, you don’t even want to eat ice cream. It has a big impact and we’re hoping for nice weather this weekend and that it stays cool,” he said.

Enrique is happy with the more shade and trees on the site and with the new promotions, such as a lunch offer on weekdays.

“It does bring more people to the fair and I think they’re doing a great job with the new things they’re doing. You’re definitely seeing it grow,” he said.

Jim Ritzman, the Banana Man, hopes people will cool off with a frozen treat, but says foot traffic is down as people stay in air-conditioned buildings. Still, the longtime vendor doesn’t blame the fair.

“It was a great fair, I love Grand Island. The fair and Jaime Parr and her staff have done a great job and they get better every year,” he said.

Some food vendors tell us business is booming, others say it’s not uncommon to experience a slowdown during an 11-day event. And they could use a break with a cooling-off period coming up that some expect to draw big crowds.

“I’m hoping for good weather and I think this weekend will bring record numbers of visitors given the upcoming cool weather,” Ritzman said.

“We are expecting a busy weekend with beautiful weather,” Leon said.