TOPSFIELD ¬— It's a 10-day event where yoked oxen walk alongside children, and visitors feast on fried dough, fruit pies and Italian sausages. Where people can ride the Ferris wheel to kill time before the demolition derby, or gawk at a half-ton pumpkin after meeting the American Honey Queen.
The 191st Topsfield Fair opens Friday, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m. and runs through Columbus Day, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Last year, it attracted more than half a million people.
The fair starts off with a bang, with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. on Friday night, followed by an opening parade at 9 the following morning. All of the classic events will be there, including the giant pumpkin competition. Last year's winner weighed in at a whopping 1,464 pounds.
"Last year's winner was grown in Massachusetts," said Sally O'Maley, head of marketing and public relations. "But there is great competition between New Hampshire and Rhode Island."
The fair offers fun and education for all ages, and promises to be a memorable experience for children.
"We've had children come here who have never seen a live cow," O'Maley said.
Admission
Weekdays: Oct. 2, Oct. 5-8, $10
Weekends/Columbus Day: Oct. 3-4, Oct. 9-12, $12
Advance tickets: $8, available until Sept. 30 at fairgrounds admissions office; First National Bank of Ipswich; Crosby's Markets; Dawson's True Value in Topsfield and Beverly; The Salem News office in Beverly; Cherry Farm Creamery, The Butchery, Gibney Gardens and Clark's Farm in Danvers; Wolf Hill Nursery in Gloucester and Ipswich; and River's Edge Gift Shop and Zodiac Paints in Ipswich; and online at www.topsfieldfair.org.
Three-day pass: $21
Children under 8 are admitted free
Parking
Fair lots: $8
Off-site: Weekend parking $5 at North Shore Community College (1 Ferncroft Road, Danvers) and Masconomet Regional High School (20 Endicott Road, Boxford). A free bus will run continuously between the parking lots and the fairgrounds. The parking lots will be open at noon on Saturdays and at 10 a.m. every other day.
Expanded handicapped parking in lots A,C, D and E.
Rides
You can buy ride tickets in advance through Sept. 30 at the fair office. $19 for 11.
Specials
Topsfield Appreciation Night: Free admission on opening night for Topsfield residents.
Military Day: Tuesday, Oct. 6. Free admission for active military personnel and their immediate families. Military identification required at the gate.
Senior Citizen Day: Monday, Oct. 5. $7 admission for seniors.
Shows
LeAnn Rimes: Saturday, Oct. 10, 6 p.m. $35 single ticket, $120 four-pack
Jeff Corwin: Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. $15 single ticket, $48 four-pack
For tickets to either show, call 888-RT1-FAIR (888-781-3247).
Contact
For more information, call 978-887-5000 or go to www.topsfieldfair.org.
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