Fall for a Fair in Massachusetts

By Andrew Collins | Sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

As summer gives way to autumn, another kind of season hits its peak in Massachusetts: fair season. More than 40 agricultural fairs take place in this state every year, many of them in August and September. Celebrating the Commonwealth’s rich farming heritage, these time-honored family events have roots here that go back to 1811, when America’s very first agricultural fair was held in Pittsfield.

Massachusetts fairs draw excited visitors of all ages to see prize-worthy displays of everything from plump heirloom tomatoes and juicy peaches to handsome dairy cattle and playful goats. Crowd-pleasing shows come in the form of demolition derbies, tractor pulls, high-energy concerts, and colorful parades. There’s usually a midway filled with both thrilling rides and gentle, tot-friendly options, plus food vendors offering up every kind of tasty treat. 

Autumn sees the annual return of three of the state’s most celebrated fairs, each with its own unique history and special appeal: the Franklin County Fair, The Big E, and the Topsfield Fair. They show why Massachusetts is the place to be for fall fair fun — and inspire visitors to seek out all the other fairs that fill the Commonwealth’s calendar beginning in late spring, when the season begins anew. 

The Franklin County Fair

Set in the picturesque Pioneer Valley, the Franklin County Fair has 175 years under its belt, making it the longest continuously held event of its kind in Massachusetts. Plenty of action is packed into the fair’s four-day run in early September, which kicks off with a 2½-mile parade through historic downtown Greenfield to the fairgrounds, recently refreshed by $1.4 million in upgrades.

In the fair’s 125-year-old Roundhouse, visitors browse handcrafted quilts and hooked rugs, jams and relishes, jewelry and stained glass, and more. Must-see entertainment includes racing (and squealing) pigs, the Flippenout “extreme trampoline” show, the Axe Women Loggers of Maine, and the Overdrive Monster Truck Show. And you won’t want to miss the kids-only Power Wheels Demo Derby: Barreling toward one another in toy cars at speeds approaching 2 mph, these youngsters give it everything they’ve got!

The Big E

Starting in mid-September, more than one million visitors flock to the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield for 17 days of excitement at The Big E, the largest agricultural event on the East Coast. Established in 1916 and representing all six New England states, this supersized spectacle features endless exhibits and amusements, plus big-name concerts in a smorgasbord of genres. (The 2024 headliners, for example, include Ludacris, Chubby Checker, Lisa Loeb, Public Enemy, and Asia.)  

A map comes in handy for navigating the 175-acre-plus fairgrounds, but one iconic attraction is easy to spot: The Avenue of States is lined with replicas of New England statehouses, with the Massachusetts building being the very first one constructed, back in 1918. Each building offers exhibits on its state’s history and lore, state-specific souvenirs, and food stalls serving signature fare like lobster rolls (Maine) and Del’s Lemonade (Rhode Island). 

Food plays a starring role at The Big E, whose tempting slate of treats includes the beloved Big E Cream Puff. You’ll find anything from Oreos to Kool-Aid among the deep-fried delicacies, while savory dishes comprise everything from fall-off-the-bone barbecue and corn dogs to a veritable United Nations of international foods, like Lebanese falafel and Indian curries. 

Other highlights include the Eastern States Exposition Horse Show and the Big Parade, a nightly extravaganza that doubles as Massachusetts’s own Mardi Gras. Take a stroll through New England’s rich history at Storrowton, a reconstructed village of 18th- and 19th-century buildings where visitors can take guided tours and participate in hands-on educational programs. Meanwhile, the permanent exhibit “Eastern States Exposition: A Walk Through History,“ with its memorabilia and vintage photos, is a captivating way to learn about The Big E across the decades. There’s so much to see and do at The Big E that repeat visits are common — you can even buy a pass that’s good for admission all 17 days. 

The Topsfield Fair

Hailed as the oldest agricultural fair in the country, the Topsfield Fair began in Essex County as a cattle show in 1820, and has grown into an 11-day celebration held each October at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. Among its colorful lures are the All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off (the current record holder tipped the scales at 2,480 pounds), a family-friendly rodeo event, and North America’s largest beekeeping and honey show, complete with observation hives and lessons in candle-making.

Along with concerts by national headliners such as 38 Special and Three Dog Night, entertainment highlights include Dock Dogs, whose playful pups demonstrate their incredible athletic abilities, and the legendary Flying Wallendas. There’s also a hot dog eating contest, racing and swimming pigs, arts and crafts displays, a demolition derby, livestock shows, parades … and the list goes on. 

The Topsfield Fair leans into its autumnal timing with Thanksgiving dinner–inspired “Gobbler” sandwiches, candy and caramel apples, and apple crisp à la mode — and with the holiday season fast approaching, there’s even a wonderfully fragrant Christmas tree exhibit.

More Massachusetts Fair Highlights

The following is just a sampling of the Commonwealth’s agricultural fair season. To find a Massachusetts fair near you — as well as farmers markets, PYO farms, Christmas tree farms, and other agritourism highlights — check out the MassGrown Map.)

Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair (May): Launched as a spin-off of a youth sheep judging contest, this event has evolved into a one-of-a-kind agricultural fair. From shearing competitions and sheepdog trials to crafting workshops, a spinning contest, and a petting barn, the Cummington Fairgrounds are the setting for two days of all things sheep and wool. Cummington, MA

Barnstable County Fair (July): The event that now ranks as the biggest fair in the Cape & Islands region traces its beginnings back to 1844. Brought back from its near demise in the 1950s by a committee of local residents, it’s been going strong ever since. For a full week at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds, it offers livestock shows, live entertainment, a midway, and every kind of classic fair food you could want. East Falmouth, MA

Marshfield Fair (August): The first Marshfield Fair was held in 1867. That same year, Nebraska became the 37th state, the United States purchased the Alaska territory, and Harvard established the first dental school in the country. A lot has changed since 1867, but the fair remains largely the same, offering up a full slate of agricultural and horticultural demonstrations, crafts, rides, games, livestock contests, and a demolition derby at the Marshfield Fairgrounds over 10 days in August. Marshfield, MA

Three County Fair (Labor Day Weekend): Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden counties have been showcasing the bounty of the Pioneer Valley and Western Massachusetts for more than two centuries. Staying true to its mission of promoting “agricultural education and science,” the four-day fair draws farmers sharing techniques and families viewing livestock and prize produce, while offering food and fun that the founders never imagined back in 1818. Northampton, MA

Sterling Fair (September): The largest free-admission fair in the Northeast (rides do require tickets) is held over two and a half days at the Sterling Airport. There’s an antique engine and machine show; frog jumping and skillet tossing contests; horse, oxen, and tractor pulls; and the judging of crafts and goodies ranging from photography to chocolate chip cookies. The annual Lego show sees kids up to age 17 bringing their creations to compete for awards. Sterling, MA