Impervious to competition from television, the Web and the shopping mall, state fairs still rumble to life each year, celebrating half-forgotten American traditions and deep-fried everything.
At left, riders on the Fireball at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington.
Jessica Kourkounis for The New York Times
Touring Three of America’s State Fairs
Every year, the midways light up and the Tilt-a-Whirls clang to life.
