09/09/2026
It’s hard to picture the Cedar County Fair without Allen Heine. He was one of those familiar faces that made the Cedar County Fair feel like home. We will always picture him at the fairgrounds in his red hat and royal blue fair polo, but Allen was so much more than that. He was a leader, a hard worker, a friend, and someone you could always count on. He had an infectious laugh, a smile on his face, and a genuine love for 4-H, the Cedar County Fair, and the people who made it special.
Allen’s connection to 4-H began as a kid and continued throughout his life. He was named Outstanding 4-H’er in 1957, later served as a 4-H club leader for 15 years, and joined the Cedar County Fair Board in 1984. Over more than 40 years of service, he served as president and secretary and gave countless hours to making the fair the best it could be.
His dedication was recognized with many honors, including Nebraska Fair Person of the Year in 2012, Nebraska State Fair Grand Marshal in 2016, and the IAFE Heritage Award in 2018. In 2024, the Open Class Building was named in his honor. But more than the awards and titles, we will remember Allen for who he was. The red hat. The royal blue polo. The laugh. The smile. The kindness. And the countless hours he gave to a fair he loved so much.
We are forever grateful for Allen’s dedication, leadership, friendship, and the lasting impact he made on the Cedar County Fair. His loss will be deeply felt by every member of our fair board, and every one of us will miss him dearly. Thank you, Allen, for everything you gave to the Cedar County Fair and to all of us. 💙
Visitation will be Wednesday, September 9, from 5–7 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Helena. Funeral services will be Thursday, September 10, at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Helena.
