Da, da, da, da, da da, da, da.

OK. That's enough.

Let's get to work. We have a State Fair to host.

Oh, and an $8.5 million check to write.

The Nebraska Legislature gave final-round approval Wednesday afternoon to move the Nebraska State Fair to Grand Island. All that's left is Gov. Dave Heineman's much-anticipated signature on LB1116, known in this neighborhood as "Location! Location! Location!"

Looks like the next time you tell someone to visit our fair city, you'll be right on both counts. Fair State Fair City.

We'll need a truckload of props to recognize the members of the posse who took an idea a couple of years ago ("What? You mean the State Fair? Here? In Grand Island?) and made it a reality today. Nicely done. I'm skipping the list because I'll leave somebody out, but you know who you are.

So, after a little gubernatorial pen work Friday, party on.

Then we all had better roll up our sleeves. The last thing we want to do is wake up in 2010 with 300,000 people on the front lawn and no plan.

Or a plan that doesn't reinvent, reinvigorate and generally knock the socks off future fairgoers.

East doubters

Please don't mistake me for a party pooper, but I don't know from the State Fair, having never made the trip to Lincoln, even when I lived in Lincoln.

The potential impact of the move is clear, however. The State Fair in Grand Island is a huge plus for the community, with the potential to draw even more events and focus to the area.

Granted, the State Fair Board runs the show, so some of the city's influence and control of the product is limited. And consensus seems to be that the product needs a makeover.

Still, everyone remembers a gracious, accommodating host and a good time.

All of which means we need to be quick out of the blocks. Forget a rolling start or easing into it. We need to be ready to rock and roll on day one, the best way to make a good first impression.

Hey, the rest of the state will be watching, especially the doubters east of the North 48th Street exit.

So as soon as we are finishing hugging and handshaking, we have to get dressed for a state fair.

In two years, no grace period.

Oh, yeah, and we need to pony up $8.5 million, a topic of considerable discussion from what I'm hearing around town.

That's why we need to get back to work, stay in the same, sweet groove that pulled this thing off, that showed Lincoln a star on the map is no guarantee of anything.

Good time

Not that anyone asked, but here are a couple suggestions for State Fair 2010, aside from the usual polish, parking, spit and streets.

Why not showcase the University of Nebraska volleyball team in a two-day, four-team tournament inside the Heartland Events Center during the State Fair?

The timing works. The Huskers have played in a four-teamer the last two years the first few days of September, one the Nebraska Invite at the Coliseum and last year at the Qwest Center in Omaha.

Have Dr. Tom and Coach Cook round up a Stanford or a UCLA or a Penn State or whomever, and they would fill the HEC with an ever-expanding volleyball fan base.

Up the ante for concerts, too. Open wide the State Fair billfold and book not only one of the world's best country acts (think Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, that kind of ticket), but also a rafter-raising rock 'n' roll biggie (Springsteen, Petty, Bon Jovi). Lots of money, but think of it as an investment in a new fair tinged with tradition.

Meanwhile, celebrate.

Celebrate again on Friday.

Saturday is a good time to get to work.