Topsfield Fair Opens For 200th Time: PHOTO ESSAY

TOPSFIELD, MA -- A pumpkin weighing 2,114 pounds, scores of rides and hundreds of award-winning animals: all just in a day at the Topsfield Fair. But if this year seems a little extra special for America's oldest agricultural fair, it may have something to do with the fact that the fair is celebrating its 200th anniversary.

Patch was the Saturday morning when the fair opened on a picture book, New England fall day. The fair runs daily through October 8.

Are you going to the fair this year? Share your photos with us. Email your best shots to dave.copeland@patch.com and we'll run a collection of the best reader photos later this week.

Food has always been a part of the history. We find it somewhat cruel that the barbecue joints are right next to the track for the pig races, but that's us. And while we were intrigued by the deep-fried Milky Way bars, we tend to opt for the traditional fair favorites, like sausage sandwiches and fried dough.

Admission to the fair is $15 on Fridays and weekends, and kids under eight are free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $11 Monday through Thursday. Bring some extra money: rides require the purchase of additional tickets and food can be pricey at some -- but not all -- of the booths.

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Photos by Dave Copeland/Patch

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).