Events

Enjoy rides, food, live music, and more at the Topsfield Fair

The fair opens Oct. 4.

The Ferris wheel at the Topsfield Fair.

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The Topsfield Fair, a centuries-old tradition in Massachusetts, returns this October to the Topsfield Fairgrounds.

America’s oldest agricultural fair brings carnival rides, food, live music, rodeos, art shows, exhibits, and nearly 300 vendors. The fair has been running for more than 200 years and will take place this year Oct. 4-14.

Musical acts coming to Topsfield this year include Three Dog Night, 38 Special, and Maddie & Tae. The Flying Wallendas, a high-wire act, will also perform.

Hungry visitors can snag apple crisp, caramel apples, turkey legs, deep fried Oreos, and the fair’s famous Gobbler sandwich — a Thanksgiving dinner in a sandwich. Guests can check out a hot dog eating contest and stop by the fair’s beer garden.

Fair events include a demolition derby, oxen pulling, a draft horse show, and more. Guests can watch Dock Dogs, a canine aquatics competition, and sheep dog trials, the fair’s newest competition involving dogs competitively herding sheep. Other animals at the fair this year include sheep, pigs, goats, rabbits, cattle, and poultry.

The Topsfield Fair hosts the Beekeeping & Honey Show, the largest of its kind in North America, as well as New England’s Premier Flower Show. There are also parades on the grounds where visitors can get mardi gras beads, T-shirts, and beach balls.

Finally, visitors can take in a fair favorite, the giant pumpkin weigh-in, which has been taking place since 1984.

The fair’s hours vary by day so visitors should check the schedule for official hours. Early bird tickets are currently on sale for $15 a day and children under age 8 are free with an adult admission ticket. The price for 10 fair rides is $33.

Kristi Palma

Travel writer

Kristi Palma is the travel writer for Boston.com, focusing on the six New England states. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of the award-winning Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.