Despite repeated requests from master of ceremonies Mark Reid and from the pop sensation herself, the sellout crowd of about 5,600 continued to push toward the stage, crushing those in the front against metal gates. That crush, plus the oppressive heat in the metal building, made the concert too uncomfortable for some.

Justin Wilson, a paramedic from Good Samaritan Hospital, estimated that about 70 people were taken out of the building, most of them for symptoms related to the heat.

Three people were taken to the hospital, including one pregnant woman who went into labor. The other two were treated and released. No one was seriously injured, he said.

Fair Manager Dave Roseberry said the pushing crowd was a concern throughout the show.

Concerts at the fair normally draw 1,500 to 2,000 people, Roseberry said. But the extra cost of bringing in a bigger name entertainer paid off in ticket sales and increased sales at novelty booths, concessions and carnival attractions, he said.

On her way to the Buffalo County Fair in Kearney, Aguilera made a stop in Lincoln for her own entertainment.

The 19-year-old, known for such Top 40 hits as “What a Girl Wants” and “Genie in a Bottle,” stopped in at Champions Fun Center on August 3 to take a spin in a go-cart. She also hit a few balls on the miniature golf course and played a number of video games.

A four-person entourage surrounded the pop singer and admonished that Aguilera would not be taking questions.

That turned out not to be a problem. Many of the 50-plus other customers didn’t know she was there.