Topsfield Fair

The Essex Agricultural Society formed in 1818 and held its first cattle show in 1820. The Fair moved among communities around the county for much of the next century before settling permanently in Topsfield in 1910.

Agriculture is still at the center of it. Cattle, horses, rabbits and poultry share the fairgrounds with 4-H competitions, flowers, Grange displays and the All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off. There’s also a midway.

What You’ll See

Start with the barns.

Livestock shows and agricultural competitions are the reason the Fair exists in the first place, and they remain a big part of what happens here. Around them are 4-H exhibits, flowers, vegetables, Grange displays and generations of people who know exactly which building they’re going to first.

Then there’s the All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, which has been held at Topsfield since 1984. The world’s first one-ton pumpkin weighed in here in 2012, and recent winners have topped 2,000 pounds.

Beyond the agricultural side are the midway, games, food stands and crowds.

Good to Know

The Topsfield Fair runs for 11 days each fall and ends on Indigenous Peoples Day.

Route 1 traffic is part of the experience, particularly on busy weekends.

Check the current Fair schedule, admission and parking information before you go.

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