Poised to mark its 200th birthday in 2018, the Topsfield Fair traces its origins to the founding of the Essex Agricultural Society to promote and preserve the interests of Essex County farmers in Massachusetts. Today, the fair is an annual New England fall celebration that’s not to be missed.
The promise of prizes to be won at a game in the midway. Photo Credit: Mark Fleming
A fair can change a lot in two centuries. The Topsfield Fair has evolved to include a bustling midway that serves up classic fair food like fried dough and apple crisp, plus amusement rides and games for all ages; it also features attractions such as the Flying Wallendas and rodeo sports including bull riding and barrel racing. Still, its agricultural roots remain strong.
There are milking demonstrations in the cattle barn, and a livestock show highlights 4-H and youth entries. The Grange Museum houses historical material related to area farms as well as promotes the work of local 4-H youth groups. And the famous giant pumpkin contest has only grown in size since a Guinness World Record was awarded in 2002 to Charlie Houghton of New Boston, New Hampshire, for his pumpkin weighing 1,337.6 pounds — and recent years have seen pumpkins weighing in at over 2,000 pounds!
The experience of this classic fall fair in New England is not to be missed, so mark your calendars for September 29 – October 9, 2017.
Below are a collection of images celebrating the Topsfield Fair by Yankee senior photographer Mark Fleming, who turned his camera on the event for the September/October 2017 Yankee feature “Behind the Scenes at Topsfield Fair.”
SCENES FROM THE TOPSFIELD FAIR
Early morning at the midway. “This is a very cool time to be at the fair, with everything still ‘asleep,’” Fleming says. “There’s an almost eerie feeling, walking around the midway when it is dead quiet.” Photo Credit: Mark FlemingEmpty fair parking lot. “I love the light on this shot, and the symmetry with the pole,” Fleming says. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingTractor being loaded with hay for livestock in the early morning hours. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingSheep await the attentions of young fair goers. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingCathy Hill from CJ’s Ranch in West Barnstable, Massachusetts, warms up her horse Bridger in the indoor arena. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingAfternoon light filters into the arena during the tractor pulls. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingParticipants line up for the antique farm tractor pull. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingPrize cattle get a bath before a long day at the fair. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingA group of Hereford cattle rests in the cattle barn. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingCleaning the arena before the days events begin. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingThe Barnstable Barn Burners, an equestrian drill team, preps for their afternoon show. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingThe classic red uniform of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police hangs in the barn before horse and rider take the “stage” in the main arena. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingThrill-seeking fairgoers enjoy flying high in the air. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingUp close with the animals at the Topsfield Fair. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingDelicious and warm apple desserts from Learned’s. Photo Credit: Mark FlemingChildren enjoy the steep and rolling slide. Photo Credit: Mark Fleming
Have you ever visited the Topsfield Fair?
Heather Marcus is the senior photo editor for Yankee. She works closely with the art director and contributing photographers to tell our stories about people and place in a compelling way. Living and growing up in New England, she continues to be inspired by the communities, the landscape, and the wonderful visual opportunities the region affords.
