Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben

It also organized a new festival in the style of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, which had similarly inspired the Veiled Prophet celebration in St. Louis[4] The name "Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben" is believed to have been created during an 1895 trip of Commercial Club leadership to buy parade floats and costumes from New Orleans Mardi Gras krewes.

[5] A Catholic priest who overheard the group shared his interpretation of the meaning of Ak-Sar-Ben based on his translations of the syllables into Syrian, Arabic, and Hebrew, respectively.

[6] While the initial purpose of the organization was to keep the Nebraska State Fair in Omaha, it was eventually moved to Lincoln and subsequently to Grand Island.

[8] The Knights of AKSARBEN Foundation continues to serve its 112-year-old mission of "building a more prosperous heartland where communities can flourish and every child can succeed."

Its mission is to produce an annual youth livestock show that celebrates the region’s agricultural heritage and educates and benefits families.

It is a fund-raising event that supports need-based scholarship programs and recognizes the volunteer efforts of individuals throughout the region through the honoring of families.