The 200th Topsfield Fair, running September 28 – October 8, 2018 offers hundreds of contests for both amateur and professional entrants. Some of the contests include prize money while others are just for bragging rights. Contestants can upload their entries online. Contests include:
Art (Amateur & Professional) – Painting, Graphics, Photography, etc. Entry Deadline: 9/3. Entries accepted 9/8 & 9/9 from Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Beekeeping– Honey Products, Beeswax Products, Arts & Crafts, Cooking with Honey & Spirits, etc. Entry Deadlines vary based on category.
Canning– Jelly, Jam, Preserves, Relish, Pickles, etc. Entry Deadline: 9/4. Entries accepted on 9/8 (10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.).
Crafts– Ceramic, Crocheting, Doll, Jewelry, Knitting, Needlework, Models, Quilting, Rug, Sewing, Smocking, Spinning, Weaving, Woodworking, etc. Entry Deadline: 9/3. Entries accepted 9/15 & 9/16 from Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Farm Photography– Theme: Agriculture in Massachusetts. Entry Form and photos must be at the fair office by 8/29.
Flowers– Bonsai, Dahlias & Zinnias, Hanging Basket, Holiday Decoration, House Plants, Terrariums, etc. Entry Deadline: 9/24.
Foods– King Arthur Flour Favorite Dessert Bars Contest, Parent & Child Cookie Celebration (Theme: Topsfield Fair’s 200thAnniversary), Topsfield Fair Apple Pie Contest, Topsfield Fair Favorite Pumpkin Pie Contest. Entry deadlines vary.
Fruit– Apples, Berries, Crabapples, Grapes, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Quinces. Entries accepted on 9/27 from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Giant Pumpkins– Over $17,000 in prize money up for grabs. Entry Deadline: 9/15.
Poultry– Ducks & Geese, Standard Poultry, Eggs, Bantams, Cock Crowing, Hen Flying, Turkeys, Pigeons, Non-Standard Barnyard Rooster, Poster. Entry Deadline: 9/7.
Additional categories include: Cattle, Christmas Trees, Decorative Pumpkins, Draft Horses, Horse & Oxen Pulls, Rabbits & Cavies, Sheep, Vegetables, Wine Making & Wine Label, 4-H Club, and many others. Entry deadlines vary.
There are also two pageants held annually at the Topsfield Fair
Junior King & Queen– For children ages 5–8, who will be judged on general appearance, conduct and personality. Each child will be interviewed on stage. All contestants will be asked to be dressed in casual attire. Entry Deadline: 9/28. Pageant held 9/29 at 11:30 a.m.
Mrs.Essex County – Contestants must be married, at least 18 years old, currently living in Essex County with their spouse. Each contestant will submit a prepared food item. A preliminary interview will be conducted and selected participants will appear in the pageant in elegant cocktail wear and will be judged on general appearance, personality, poise, and food score. Entry Deadline: 10/4 at 10:00 p.m. Pageant held on 10/7.
Entry forms are available at topsfieldfair.org. Information on each contest can be found under the “Exhibitors Handbook” section on the home page of the website. The Topsfield Fair encourages contestants to upload their entries online. Contact information for the person responsible for each contest is included with the contest form for each department. Requirements and entry deadlines vary for each contest. Please check the website for more information.
Ticket prices for the 2018 Topsfield Fair are $12.00 each September 28, October 1-4 and $15.00 each on October 5, weekends, and Columbus Day (October 8). Discount admission tickets are available at topsfieldfair.org through September 24, 2018. General Admission discount tickets can be purchased for only $10.00, which are good any day during the Fair’s 11-day run. A three-day pass, good any three days, is available for $25.00. Children under eight with an adult are free. Discounted food vouchers and ride tickets are also available when purchased in advance at topsfieldfair.org.