TOPSFIELD, MA — The Topsfield Fair has opened entries for the hundreds of contests and competitions planned during its 208th fair, which runs Oct. 2-12, 2026.
The Fair said amateur and professional entrants can apply by mail or online, with deadlines and drop-off dates varying by department.
Some contests offer prize money while others are for recognition. Entry forms are available here.
The 2026 lineup includes competitions in beekeeping, canning, crafts, farm photography, fine art, flowers, foods, fruit, giant pumpkins, junior fruit, vegetable and decorative entries, poultry and vegetables.
Additional categories include cattle, Christmas trees, draft horse show, grange, horse and oxen pulling, rabbit and cavy, sheep, stock farm tractor pulling, winemaking and 4-H Club, with deadlines that vary by event.
Several departments already have posted dates. Farm photography entries with the theme "Agriculture in Massachusetts" must be at the fair office by Aug. 28. Crafts and fine art entries are due Sept. 7, while canning entries are due Sept. 8. Giant pumpkin entries are due Sept. 18, with the weigh-off scheduled for Oct. 2, and vegetable and open and youth poultry entries are due Sept. 25.
The foods department includes the Topsfield Fair Fall Harvest Baked Sweet Treat Contest, the King Arthur Baking Company Contest with the theme "Favorite Scone," the Topsfield Fair Apple Pie Contest and the Parent & Child Cookie Celebration Contest with the theme "America's 250th Birthday Cookies."
In the giant pumpkin contest, nearly $20,000 in prize money is available.
Two annual pageants are also part of the fair schedule. The Junior King & Queen pageant is for children ages 5 to 8, with an entry deadline of Oct. 2 and the event set for Oct. 3 at 1 p.m.
The Mrs. Essex County pageant is open to married contestants who are at least 18 years old and live in Essex County with their spouse. That pageant has an Oct. 8 entry deadline and is scheduled for Oct. 11 at 1 p.m.
More information is available on the Topsfield Fair website.
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