TOPSFIELD – The 206th Topsfield Fair, running Oct. 4-14, 2024, offers hundreds of contests for both amateur and professional entrants. Some contests include prize money, while others are just for bragging rights. Contestants can upload their entries online. Contests include:
Beekeeping – Honey products, beeswax products, arts and crafts, cooking with honey and spirits, etc. Entry deadlines vary based on category.
Canning – Jam, jelly, pickles, preserves, relish, etc. Entry deadline: Sept. 3. Entries accepted on Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Crafts – Ceramics, crocheting, dolls, jewelry, knitting, needlework, models, quilting, rugs, sewing, smocking, spinning, weaving, woodworking, etc. Entry deadline: Sept. 2. Entries accepted Sept. 14 and Sept. 15 from noon to 4 p.m.
Farm Photography – Theme: Agriculture in Massachusetts. Entry form and photos must be at the fair office by Aug. 30.
Fine Art (Amateur & Professional) – Painting, graphics, photography, etc. Entry deadline: Sept. 2. Entries accepted Sept. 7 and Sept. 8 from noon to 4 p.m.
Flowers – Bonsai, dahlias and zinnias, roses, sunflowers, hanging baskets, holiday decorations, house plants, terrariums, etc. Entry deadline: Sept. 30. Entries accepted Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Foods – Topsfield Fair Fall Harvest Baked Sweet Treat Contest, King Arthur Baking Company Favorite Muffin Contest, Topsfield Fair Apple Pie Contest, Parent and Child Cookie Celebration Contest (Theme: Favorite Things to Do at Topsfield Fair). Entry deadlines vary.
Fruit – Apples, berries, crabapples, grapes, peaches, pears, plums, quinces. Entry forms due and entries accepted on Oct. 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Giant Pumpkins – Over $15,000 in prize money up for grabs. Entry deadline: Sept. 20. Weigh-off to be held on Oct. 4.
Junior Fruit, Vegetable & Decorative – Enter your decorated pumpkin, gourds, and more! Entry deadline: Sept. 20.
Poultry – Ducks and geese, standard poultry, eggs, bantams, cock crowing, hen flying, turkeys, pigeons, non-standard barnyard rooster, poster. Entry deadline: Sept. 17. Entries accepted Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Vegetables – Beans, beets, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, potatoes, peppers, squash, tomatoes, and many more categories. Entry deadline: Sept. 27. Entry forms due and entries accepted on Oct. 5 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Additional categories include cattle, Christmas trees, draft horse show, grange, horse and oxen pulling, rabbit and cavy, sheep, sheepdog trial, stock farm tractor pulling, winemaking, 4-H Club, and many others. Entry deadlines vary.
There are also two pageants held annually at the Topsfield Fair:
Junior King & Queen – For children ages 5-8, who will be judged on general appearance, conduct, and personality. Each child will be interviewed on stage. All contestants should be dressed in casual attire. Entry deadline: Oct. 4. Pageant to be held on Oct. 5 at 1 p.m.
Mrs. Essex County – Contestants must be married, at least 18 years old, and currently living in Essex County with their spouse. Each contestant will submit a prepared food item. A preliminary interview will be conducted, and selected participants will appear in the pageant in elegant cocktail wear and will be judged on general appearance, personality, poise, and food score. Entry deadline: Oct. 10. Pageant to be held on Oct. 13 at 1 p.m.
Entry forms are available at www.topsfieldfair.org. Information on each contest can be found in the “Exhibitor’s Handbook” under the “About” section on the home page of the website. Contact information for the person responsible for each contest is included with the contest form for each department. Requirements and entry deadlines vary for each contest. Please see the Topsfield Fair website for more information.