Essex Agricultural Society

The Topsfield Fair is owned and operated by the Essex Agricultural Society, a non-profit organization consisting of approximately 1,280 members. The Essex Agricultural Society is dedicated to the following task: "To encourage, promote and preserve Essex County agricultural activities and to educate the general public regarding their importance. We strive to do this in an atmosphere of fun and excitement through the medium of the Topsfield Fair." A Lifetime Membership in the Society costs $200.00. Annual memberships cost $15.00. The Society is governed by an elected executive board.

Executive Board Members

  • Priscilla Gerrard, President
  • Bruce P. Potter, 1st VP
  • Francis A. DiLuna, 2nd VP
  • Gene Demsey, Secretary
  • Richard F. Moore, Treasurer
  • Nancy E. Begin
  • A. Richard Bonanno
  • Forrester A. Clark, Jr.
  • William H. Clark, Jr.
  • Alvin W. Craig
  • Peter Gibney
  • Erwin W. Haynes
  • Edward A. White
  • James P. O'Brien, Topsfield Fair GM

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 134, Topsfield, MA 01983



Letter from Board President Priscilla Gerrard

Another three seasons have come and gone. We are preparing for the 192nd edition of the Topsfield Fair. A recent road trip brought us through some very beautiful countryside in Maine. Lush fields of corn and miles of low-bush blueberries covered the landscape. Along the roadside, people were selling home grown items, showcasing the products they had worked all season on. This brought to mind the origination of our fair.

The founders of the Society had a goal to meet and share information with other farmers and cattlemen for the exchange of ideas and for the improvement of agriculture in the community. The Essex Agricultural Society Cattle Show was created to showcase the agricultural being of Essex County.

Much has changed in 191 years, but the mission of the fair remains intact. Our 2010 them is "Proud to be Giving Back." We give back with the continuation of this tradition of gathering each year. Our hope is that we are able to give back in some way to every single visitor.

The continued dedication of our exhibitors, volunteers, manager, staff and Board of Directors make us able to give back to the community. It may be in the form of a great entertainment line-up or a donation to a deserving charitable organization. We try to have something which appeals to all who enter our gates.

This year is no exception. We will enjoy everything from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride to The Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off to Chubby Checker's 50th Anniversary in entertainment to our weeknight on-grounds parades. We will salute 100 years of Boy Scouting, the 100th anniversary of these fairgrounds and the fortieth anniversary of our Mrs. Essex County. We will proudly acknowledge our servicemen and women with our second annual Military Day. We have been included on the list of 50 Top Fairs in North America for 2009. I look around and see all that people are giving of themselves and realize this is why we achieved this distinction.

I invite you to visit The Topsfield Fair and see why we are so "Proud To Be Giving Back."



The Essex Agricultural Society is a non-profit corporation.
All donations are welcome and tax-deductible.