As a child, Labor Day was synonymous in my mind with the day before I was launched into another school year. Usually, wandering through the animal barns and staring wide-eyed at the midway attractions of the county fair provided a welcome distraction. (I still haven’t been able to get that mermaid in a jar out of my mind.) Now the date carries less stress-induced fanfare, but the nearby Maryland State Fair scratches my itchy nostalgic bent.

The only thing missing is the cafeteria with its rows of sliced lemon meringue pie and fresh-cut tomatoes stuffed with cottage cheese. These whippersnappers with their deep-fried Twinkies. Why, in my day…

Anyway, with the sun beating down hot enough to melt us all into the asphalt, I grabbed my camera and tried to capture a little piece of another summer closing up shop.

Prize-winning tomatoes at the Maryland State Fair 2013

Sheep having a rest at the Maryland State Fair 2013

Shearing sheep at the Maryland State Fair 2013

Cow having a rest at the Maryland State Fair 2013

Midway at the Maryland State Fair 2013

Bingo at the Maryland State Fair 2013

Midway rides at the Maryland State Fair 2013

Terrifying prizes

The duck game at the Maryland State Fair 2013

My favorite midway game of all time! (I was not a very competitive child.)

Killer quilts at the Maryland State Fair 2013

Canned goods in competition at the Maryland State Fair 2013

Honey display at the Maryland State Fair 2013

Wool on display at the Maryland State Fair 2013

Ducks having a look at the Maryland State Fair 2013