The annual Topsfield Fair, which runs from Oct. 4 to 14 in Topsfield, Mass., is known for its giant pumpkin growing contest; for its barns full of poultry, rabbits, sheep and cows; for country and pop singers (Tommy James and the Shondells on Oct. 9, Creedence Clearwater Revisited on Oct. 12); for quilters and beekeeping and sand-sculpting; for its monster trucks and demolition derby. Below is our guide to navigating all the amazingness.
Photos copyright 2019 Greg Cook.
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Marvel at the strength of horses
See what amazing scarecrows the Wong family has sculpted this year
For years, two branches of the Wong family have been competing back and forth in the agricultural fair’s annual scarecrow contest and regularly beating all other entries from the region. “We’ve done crows, nightmares,” Gail Wong of Topsfield told me back in 2013. “We’ve done flying monkeys. The year the Bruins won, we did the Bruins bear holding the championship trophy over his head.”
Ponder how big a pumpkin can get
Get picked from the audience to help race a mallard duck
Ask yourself does this pheasant remind you of the president?
Pet a sheep (or goat or horse or cow)
Celebrate decorative gourd season
Take a ride at the carnival
Marvel at the carnival art
Feed the birds
Dream of what you’ll plant in your garden next spring
Admire some pig
Don’t buy these T-shirts
If this is the kind of coverage of arts, cultures and activisms you appreciate, please support Wonderland by contributing to Wonderland on Patreon. And sign up for our free, weekly newsletter so that you don’t miss any of our reporting.