It's hard to tell what's the greatest about the Kansas State Fair: the things that are new or the things that are the same every year.
The reality is, whether you are a newcomer visiting for your very first time or a veteran of decades watching your grandchildren compete in the events that marked milestones of your own childhood, the Fair is one of the grandest events of the year.
Click below for a slideshow of some of the highlights of the 2012 Kansas State Fair.
OPENING CROWDS: Great weather brought out record numbers of visitors to this year's fair. While many farmers are suffering the losses of back-to-back years of drought, there was still plenty of interest in the vendors at the Pride of Kansas building, shown on the right.
BIG HORSES
Always one of the crowd delights at the Kansas State Fair is the contest between the big work horses. This year, even the preparations drew visitors anxious to take in every detail.
NEW LIFE
The Birthing Center, operated by the Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine, is a perennial favorite at the Fair. This year, the first new baby arrived on the first day of the fair, giving visitors a chance to oooh and aaah over the newcomer.
CENTENNIAL DEDICATION
A highlight of opening weekend of the Fair was the dedication of a new 4-H exhibit building, completed just in time to celebrate 100 years of the Kansas State Fair.
OPENING CROWDS
Great weather brought out record numbers of visitors to this year's fair. While many farmers are suffering the losses of back-to-back years of drought, there was still plenty of interest in the vendors at the Pride of Kansas building, shown on the right.
BUTTER SCULPTURE
One event that never wanes in popularity is the butter sculpture. The 2012 Fair was no exception as crowds flocked to watch the carving of a railroad scene from a mammoth chunk of butter. And yes, kids, it really IS very, very cold in there.
MILKING BLOSSOM
Agriland is a kid favorite at the fair and one of the favorite things of Agriland is milking Blossom, the resident cow.
NICE HORSIE
Mounted patrol officer Dallas Kirby of Inman and his horse, Chance, were like a magnet to Emmary Eagleson, 5, and her sister Hadleigh,18 months, when they came through the gates with their aunt, Lavonne Huston of Augusta. Not pictured, but also with them at the fair was mom, Jennifer Eagleson.