North Shore Tradition Returns With Topsfield Fair's 204th Edition

TOPSFIELD, MA — Two years after The Topsfield Fair was canceled for only the third time in two centuries because of the COVID-19 health crisis, and one year removed from more than a half-million people flocked back to the Fairgrounds as lingering protocols were still in place, the hope is that good weather and relaxed restrictions will bring even bigger crowds to the North Shore for the 204th edition starting on Friday.

The Fair, which runs through Oct. 10, drew 516,885 attendees last fall — which was more than 100,000 than in 2019 when it drew 412,000.

"I think people are really looking forward to getting back out and doing the things they used to do — especially those family traditions," Topsfield Fair spokesman David Thomson told Patch on Monday. "The majority of the fair is outside so there is also a little less concern than being stuck inside the building."

For the second straight year, the $20 entry fee (at the gate) includes admission to all entertainment, which this year includes oldies favorite Chubby Checker, classic rockers Kansas and country music star Trace Adkins.

"(Topsfield Fair General Manager James O'Brien) always looks to find acts that will appeal to different demographics and different age groups," Thomson said. "This is at least the third time we've had Chubby here and he always draws a crowd. He's in his 80s now and everybody still wants to get up and do 'The Twist' with Chubby Checker."

After Strictly Sinatra Presents the Rat Pack on Monday and Tuesday, Checker will play Wednesday night, KANSAS will take the stage on Thursday and Adkins will play on Friday, Oct. 7.

"Trace Adkins had so many country music hits that he's going to put on a great show," Thomson said.

Also included this year are racing and swimming pigs, dock dogs competitions, the Flying Wallendas, the hot dog eating competition, giant pumpkin competition, pageants, bike stunts and the demolition derby.

"It's always a mix of trying to have the new and the old," Thomson said. "You kind of have the traditions that people want to come back and see year after year, while also bringing some new things in so it doesn't get old and stale.

"The entertainment is always a big part of that. That's why changing up the entertainment every year is important."

This year's Fair will have a Military Day where active members of the military and their families can enter free with identification on Oct. 4 and the Senior Citizen and Sensory Awareness Day on Monday, Oct. 3 where lights, sounds and announcements will be subdued to accommodate those with autism and other similar sensitivities.

Discount tickets remain available through Thursday here through the new electronic ticket system for $15 plus a $2 convenience fee. Tickets purchased are good any day during the Fair's 11-day run. A three-day ticket that costs $45 with a $3 convenience fee, as well as discounted ride tickets, are also available in advance of the Fair.

Children under age 8 are admitted free with an adult admission.

To help alleviate traffic on Route 1 during the Fair this year, the Essex Agricultural Society, the organization that operates the Topsfield Fair, will allow fairgoers to park in its lot down the street from the fairgrounds and then be bused to the entrance using a dedicated lane of Route 1.

"Weather is looking good right now," Thomson said of the long-range forecast. "That's the biggest aspect of the Fair every year.

"If the weather is good, then (attendance) is great."

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