Topsfield Fair carries on its winning tradition

By SHEILA BARTH

Essex County Newspapers

TOPSFIELD _ Something's cooking at the Topsfield Fairgrounds from Sept. 29 through Oct. 8, and it isn't just fast foods or pie-baking and cookie contests.

It's the annual Topsfield Fair, the oldest county fair in the nation that was established in 1818, and still touts agriculture and education primarily. Adding their own steam to this country stew of fun are headliners performing twice daily at the Grandstand shows, free of charge.

Jenny Paquette of Maine, and the North Country Band, winners of the female vocalist of the year and Northeast Regional Band of the Year awards in 1998 and several other awards, lead off opening day, Sept. 29 and Sept. 30.

Rock and roll's king of the twist, Chubby Checker, and his band follows Oct. 1 and 2; then another award-winner, Larry Gatlin and band, bring country and acoustic gospel music Oct. 3 and 4.

Sha-Na-Na, which played at the original Woodstock rock festival in 1969 and in "Grease," performs Oct. 5 and 6. Juice Newton, Grammy Award winner, ends the grandstand shows lineup Oct. 7 and 8.

The fair kicks off Saturday morning, Sept. 29, with its opening day parade winding through Topsfield's downtown streets and onto Route 1, heralding lots of surprises, decorated floats and tossouts, followed by opening day ceremonies and flag-raising inside the grounds.

The giant pumpkin contest, another opening day favorite, takes place in the barnyard. The fairgrounds bustle with activity in every nook and cranny.

There are the animal barns _ pigs, sheep, cattle, rabbits, poultry, llamas, draft horses; the Hallamore hitch parading through the fairgrounds daily; and the funny, shortlegged Robinson racing pigs that snort and run around a 100-by-6-foot track to collect their coveted prize at the finish line _ an Oreo cookie!

There is a daily variety of family and educational acts appearing on the Trianon stage that includes everything from the Junior King and Queen contest to dancing, music, children's entertainment, magic acts and surprise entertainers.

The Dean and Flynn of Salisbury's Midway will bring its many games and chances to win and schlep home large stuffed animals and other prizes.

There are more rides than ever for people of all ages, said Sally O'Maley, the fair's director of public relations.

One tip: It's always best to arrive at the Topsfield Fair early on weekends because the highway and streets clog quickly with traffic, and all of the parking lots fill up fast.

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