America’s oldest agricultural fair, Topsfield Fair, is being celebrated from October 2 till October 12 in Topsfield. The fair has a rich history which is panning over more than 150 years. The first Topsfield Fair was held in October, 1820. Since then, its been held every year to celebrate the agricultural richness of Topsfield and its farms.
The first organizers of the fair organized the event to promote the agriculture of Essex country. Even today the fair is hosted by the local farmers to encourage, promote and preserve Essex County agricultural activities and to educate the general public regarding their importance in an atmosphere of fun and excitement through the medium of the Topsfield Fair.
The fair is celebrated every year at Topsfield Fairgrounds which were provided by the Dr. John Goodhue Treadwell in 1858 to promote the science of agriculture in the area. The fairgrounds have separate exhibition areas for sheep, goats, pigs, horses, cattle, rabbits and poultry. In addition to this, the fair also hosts fruits, vegetables and flowering exhibition, a farm yard, and a bee-keeping area.
Apart from these exhibitions, the fair offers sand sculptures for display, food courts, baking competition, and arts & crafts. Coolidge Hall is a regular part of the Topsfield Fair where the vendors display their arts & crafts. Hand-sewn quilts and table clothes are also placed for display and baking competitions continue through out the day in an open kitchen inside the hall.
Visitors line up to buy freshly baked honey and milk, oat mean, and wheat bread. The 2009 fair will also host a firework display and a model train.
Topsfield Fair 2009
