TOPSFIELD, MA — The 208th Topsfield Fair was set to kick off its 11-day run with the All-New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off on Friday.
Alex Noel of Abington, Connecticut, entered the day as the reigning champion with a pumpkin tipping the scales at 2,507 pounds last year.
With the dry growing conditions this summer, one of the event co-chairs predicted someone would beat last year's record, a Topsfield Fair spokesperson said on Friday.
The Weigh-Off was set to begin at 4 p.m. with the winner to be announced by 8 p.m.
The pumpkin contest is the first major event of the Fair that runs daily through Oct. 12.
This year's event includes the traditional Mrs. Essex County, Jr. King and Queen, Hot Dog Eating, and dozens of other contests and competitions.
Featured performers include Chubby Checker, Grand Funk Railroad and country music star Ashley McBride.
Also scheduled throughout the run are the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, Dock Dogs exhibitions, Painted Pony Championship Rodeo, live pumpkin carving, The Flying Wallendas, Draft Horse Show, Double Figure "8" car race and Demolition Derby.
Admission to the 2026 Topsfield Fair is $20 per person each day.
Tickets for this year's Fair can be purchased here.
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