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2010 Topsfield Fair - October 1 - 11

What's New at the Fair in 2009

Check Out the Fair's New Web Site

Visit the Fair on Facebook

Take Part in the Twitter Scavenger Hunt On Wednesday, October 7th

Expanded Off-Site Week End Parking
In an effort to alleviate parking problems for our fairgoers, there will be off-site parking on both week ends at North Shore Community College and Masconomet Regional High School. The college is located just off Route 95 at exit 50. Drive onto Route One South, the college is located on Ferncroft Road in Danvers. The high school is just off Route 95 at exit 51. Parking is $5 and there will be free, continuously operating buses taking fairgoers to and from their cars to the fairgrounds.

Fireworks on Opening Night
When the fair officially opens its 2009 season on October 2 from 4 to 10 p.m., fireworks will fill the air at 9 o'clock that night with a rain date set for the following night, October 3.

More ATM Machines Available
ATM machines, for those fairgoers short on cash, will be available at the Main Gate, outside the Administration Building, at the Rivergate entrance and on the Fiesta Shows midway.

Expanded Handicapped Parking
Handicapped parking will be available this year in parking lots A, C, D, and E for those with handicapped plates and placards.

Additional Sinks And Handwash Stations
While everyone is being urged these days to consistently wash their hands, the fair has installed several new hand washing sinks in the rest rooms and outside areas. New sinks are available outside the Nursing Mothers Lounge and alongside the Adult Sanitary Tent. More than 100 hand sanitizer stations have also been installed in the buildings on the fairgrounds.

Green Pavilion - "Go Green With Us!"
Visitors are welcome to visit the new Green Pavilion on October 5-7 in the fair's show tent. Sponsored by EBSCO of Ipswich (careers.ebscohost.com) the tent will preview eco-friendly companies and organizations in Essex County. The Audubon Society in Topsfield, Hiltz Waste Disposal of Gloucester will be taking part with information on the recycling program it conducts every year at the fair; cans, bottle, cardboard and this year food wastes will all be recycled; the food waste will go to Brick Farm in Hamilton to be turned into compost and small bags of compost will be handed out at the pavilion from last year, the state Department of Environmental Protection are just three of the participant taking part. For more information, or to sign up to be in this tent, contact John Palmisano, sponsor coordinator, john_palmisano@comcast.net.

"Read and Win"
The fair expanded its "Read and Win" program this year and more than 2000 young people in libraries across Essex County took part. The program has been held annually at the Tri-Town libraries for a number of years in partnership with the International Association of Fairs and Expositions and Fiesta Shows. This year Kate O'Brien contacted every library in Essex County and 23 took part in the program From Gloucester to Merrimac. She can be reached at:kate@topsfieldfair.org for more information about specific libraries. Students completing the program received ride tickets, admission passes (those over 8) and a certificate for a hot dog and cold drink at Tuckers Farm Family Diner located next to the Vegetable Barn.

School Program Continues
The fair continues its "Agricultural Classroom" program for schools in Essex County and more than 1500 children are already signed up to take part. Schools are invited in the spring to plan a trip to the fair in the fall. Students through grade five are admitted free with their teachers and chaperones based on one chaperone for every four students. There is a fee of $5 for additional chaperones and students above grade five. Pre-registration is required. The class trips are scheduled on the mornings of October 5-9. Parking is free for school buses at the River Gate Parking Lot (A) and they will be met on arrival from 9:30 to 10, with all buses off the grounds by 1:30 p.m. Special programs are planned in the poultry barn, the Green Pavilion and the tent alongside the Club House. A free lunch is planned for Monday, October 5th and offered to the first ten schools that sign up. Fort more information contact Patti Byrne, Education Coordinator, patti@topsfieldfair.org.

Check Out the Rain Barrels
As Topsfield Fair works to "Go Green", rain barrels have been placed in several locations in gardens on the grounds from the New England Rain Barrel company of Peabody. Check out the blue barrels by the Administration Building, in the bee garden in front of the Flower Barn and in the garden alongside the Grange/Museum Barn.

Butter Sculpture
Jim Victor, whose fabulous butter sculptures have wowed visitors to the New York State Fair and other fairs across the country, will be showing off his unique craft in Topsfield this year. Working inside a glass trailer (near the cattle barn) Victor will turn more than 300 pounds of Land O'Lakes butter into a cow with solar panels attached as the fair "Goes Green". Victor will step outside the trailer every half hour or so to speak to the fairgoers. The butter, kept cool throughout the fair, will be donated to charity once the fair ends.

Word Champion High Dive Show
Dana Kunze, a world record holder in the art of high dive, 172 feet, will perform his famous dive from a 30-foot platform on Grange Road at 11 a.m., 1, 3 and 5 p.m. daily.

In The Arena - Don't Miss This Action!
The popular Rawhide Rodeo returns this year on October 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. with bull riding, barrel racing and bareback riding, one show daily. On Columbus Day there will be Figure 8 Racing in the arena at 3:30 p.m. (check out the earlier time this year) and, new this year, a Demolition Derby at 7:30 p.m.

First Annual Friesian Classic
The first annual spectacular Topsfield Fair Friesian Classic open horse show will be held in the arena on October 8th and 9th with open classes and breathtaking Friesian Period Classic Costume classes. The show is sponsored by the Northeast Friesian Horse Club. For information call Rick Drew, 207-272-0082.

Blood Drive on the Grounds
The American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive on Arena Road from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday, October 5th and Tuesday, October 6. No appointments are necessary.

Visit The Cow Of The Day And Pet A Calf!
The fair's popular Cattle Barn has included a new event this year-A "Cow of the Day" will be on display and fairgoers will be able to "Pet a Calf" in that building daily, 11 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m.

Pumpkin Growers to Honor Hugh Wiberg
The ever-popular New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off will be held in the arena on October 3. The growers will begin unloading their pumpkins at 6 a.m. and the weigh-off is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., sharp. The growers have been invited to relax in the fair's hospitality tent from noon to 4 p.m. for light refreshments, to discuss the day's results and enjoy each other's company. A special part of the afternoon will be the dedication of a tree and a plaque in honor of Hugh Wiberg who worked to originate and promote the weigh-off.