205th Topsfield Fair Unveils Contests, Pageants For 2023

DANVERS, MA — The Topsfield Fair will offer hundreds of contests and two pageants during its 205th season with the 10-day fair running Sept. 29 through Oct. 9.

Contests are for both amateur and professional entrants. Some of the contests include prize money while others are just for bragging rights.

Contestants can upload their entries online here.

This year's contests include:

• Beekeeping – Honey Products, Beeswax Products, Arts & Crafts, Cooking with Honey & Spirits, etc. Entry Deadlines vary based on category.
• Canning – Jam, Jelly, Pickles, Preserves, Relish, etc. Entry Deadline: 9/5. Entries accepted on 9/9 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Crafts - Ceramic, Crocheting, Doll, Jewelry, Knitting, Needlework, Models, Quilting, Rug, Sewing, Smocking, Spinning, Weaving, Woodworking, etc. Entry Deadline: 9/4. Entries accepted 9/16 & 9/17 from Noon — 4 p.m.
• Farm Photography - Theme: Agriculture in Massachusetts. Entry form and photos must be at the Fair office by 8/30.
• Fine Art (Amateur & Professional) – Painting, Graphics, Photography, etc. Entry Deadline: 9/4. Entries accepted 9/9 & 9/10 from Noon – 4 p.m.
• Flowers – Bonsai, Dahlias & Zinnias, Roses, Sunflowers, Hanging Basket, Holiday Decoration, House Plants, Terrariums, etc. Entry Deadline: 9/25. Entries accepted 9/28 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Foods – Topsfield Fair Fall Harvest Baked Sweet Treat Contest, King Arthur Baking Company Quick Bread Contest, Topsfield Fair Apple Pie Contest, Parent & Child Cookie Celebration Contest (Theme: Favorite Sport Themed Cookies). Entry deadlines vary.
• Fruit – Apples, Berries, Crabapples, Grapes, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Quinces. Entry Forms Due and Entries accepted on 9/28 from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
• Giant Pumpkins – Over $15,000 in prize money is up for grabs. Entry Deadline: 9/16. Weigh-off held on 9/29.
• Junior Fruit, Vegetable & Decorative – Enter your decorated pumpkin, gourds and more! Entry Deadline: 9/15.
• Poultry – Ducks & Geese, Standard Poultry, Eggs, Bantams, Cock Crowing, Hen Flying, Turkeys, Pigeons, Non-Standard Barnyard Rooster, Poster. Entry Deadline: 9/15. Entries accepted 9/29 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Vegetables – Beans, Beets, Carrots, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Onions, Potatoes, Peppers, Squash, Tomatoes, and many more categories. Entry Deadline: 9/25.

Additional categories include Cattle, Christmas Trees, Draft Horse Show, Grange, Horse & Oxen Pulling, Rabbit & Cavy, Sheep, Sheep Dog Trial, Stock Farm Tractor Pulling, Winemaking, 4-H Club, and many others.

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 will be asked to be dressed in casual attire. Entry deadline is Sept. 29. The pageant will be held on Sept. 30 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. The entry deadline is Oct. 5 at 10 p.m. with the pageant held on Oct. 7 at 1 p.m.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)