175th Topsfield Fair kicks off with a gala on Oct. 2

TOPSFIELD _ Because this year marks the 175th anniversary of the 10-day Topsfield Fair, it opens with a huge event Oct. 2 _ the world's largest pumpkin weigh-off.

The fair, located on Route 1 and Route 97, Topsfield, closes with an equally big bang Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 11 _ a huge fireworks display that will light up the skies of this otherwise sleepy suburban area.

The fair's annual opening day parade kicks off Oct. 2 at 9 a.m., winding through Topsfield's downtown streets, across Route 1 and into the fairgrounds. Fair daily hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The fair emphasizes family fun, entertainment and agricultural education and awareness. To maintain that tradition, the Essex Agricultural Society brings back the popular Robinson racing pigs, Barn Tours of California, square dancers, bee and honey exhibits, cock crowing contests, hen-flying, sheep shearing, cow milking, a new kiddie power tractor pull, llama, pig, cow, sheep barns; a petting zoo with pony, elephant and camel rides; the prancing Belgian six-horse hitch from Colorado and the Hallamore eight-horse Clydesdale hitch.

However, this year there's also an exotic feature for fairgoers _ a reptile show with Bwana Jim Moulton, who has appeared on Nickelodeon. He uses humor to reveal fascinating facts about alligators, snakes and turtles.

The free grandstand shows featuring celebrity performers opens Oct. 2 and 3 with Jerry Lewis' son, Gary Lewis and the Playboys. Grandstand shows seat 2,500 and are performed twice daily, at 2 and 7 p.m. The lineup also includes The Marshall Tucker Band, Oct. 4 and 5; the Confederate Railroad, Oct. 6, 7; America, Oct. 8,9; and John Cafferty and Beaver Brown, Oct. 10, 11.

Besides grandstand shows, entertainment varies on the Trianon stage and in the children's picnic area, featuring music, magicians, jugglers and dancers.

There's something for everyone at the fair. The Essex County Farmyard hosts favorite annual events such as the greasy pole climbing and sheep shearing.

There are 200 food booths, concessions and midway rides, games, animal, vegetable, floral and homemaking displays, arts, crafts, 4-H exhibits, homebrewing and beekeeping, annual pie-baking, Mrs. Essex County and junior king and queen pageants.

Tickets to the fair cost $6 on weekdays, $8, weekends and holidays. Children under 10 who are accompanied by an adult and visitors confined to wheelchairs are admitted free.

Senior citizens pay $4 on Senior Citizens Day, Oct. 4. There's also a new, 10-day pass for $50; advanced $5 tickets, for groups of 25 or more, and discounted, advance midway tickets, which may all be purchased at the fairgrounds by calling (978) 887-5000 or contacting the fair's new Website at www.topsfield.org.

Return to: