This year's State Fair is a lot like last year's. And the one the year before. But that's a good thing. After all, there are staples you come to expect. Among them:

• lowing beasts tended by bright-eyed 4-H'ers 

• processed meats impaled on a dowel

• gap-toothed carnies barking rote come-ons 

• squalling kids 

• mullet-rubes at the test-your-strength booth

• first-date teens making out on the ferris wheel

• sunsets at the midway with neon rolling overhead

Yes, this is the State Fair. Big fun.  And a fitting end to a summer that always goes too fast.