Topsfield Fair To Offer Day For Sensory Sensitive Visitors

TOPSFIELD, MA — The Topsfield Fair is putting aside time for those who want to see all the fair has to offer without the ringing bells, flashing lights and booming announcements that typically come with the experience but can be intolerable to the eyes and ears of some visitors.

On Oct. 4, the Topsfield Fair will hold a sensory sensitive day that will be much quieter for those who require that because of an autistic family member or one with sensory processing disorder.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day, vendors and Kiddie Land will have no flashing lights, music or announcements.

Events will continue to take place, but the sound on stages will be significantly lowered for the racing pigs, the bike stunt show, Nerveless Nocks and the farmyard.

Announcements on the grounds will be limited with the volume turned down.

Fair organizers said in July that the Topsfield Fair will return this year from Oct. 1 through Oct. 11 after last year's fair was canceled because of the coronavirus crisis for only the third time in its 200-year history. It was previously canceled because of the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 and World War II.

The Topsfield Fair drew 38,000 people during its last opening weekend in 2019.

Organizers said extra precautions are being taken with the installation of additional washing sinks and sanitizing stations.

According to the Fair's website, it is adhering to all current Massachusetts and town of Topsfield COVID-19 regulations and guidance. Those who are sick in the past 24 hours are asked not to attend this year, and instead plan to return in 2022.

Those coming to the fair are encouraged to wear a face mask.

Organizers said: "possession of a ticket or pass and entry to the Topsfield Fair constitutes your understanding of these risks and your willingness to undertake the risk of exposure."

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(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.)

More Patch Coverage: Topsfield Fair Returns With No Restrictions This October