FEATURE FRIDAY WITH THE TOPSFIELD FAIR -

By Sybille C. Denninger

TGI...FEATURE FRIDAY :-)

And this time it's all about the Topsfield Fair!!!

Normally I feature a local business person or company for the FEATURE FRIDAY blog but the Topsfield Fair is such a big once a year event, that I felt it deserved the honor this Friday. I hope you agree.

The Topsfield Fair actually started last weekend already and so you only have today, Saturday, Sunday and Monday to see all sorts of farm critters, wild animals (Elephant! Camel!), arts, crafts and merchandise. Kids will love the rides and the Petting Zoo, adults will enjoy all the delicious food and music. It's a great event for the entire family!

Since it was a spectacularly sunny day on Wednesday I snuck away from work and spent a glorious afternoon by myself at the Topsfield Fair, collecting impressions and taking photos for my blog today. The entry fee is $11 for adults, children age 8 and under get in free. On the weekend tickets go up to $15.00. Upon entering bags are searched more thoroughly than at the airport. There are several parking options for $10 but I found a private lot directly off Route 97 which charged only $5. More money to spend at the fair haha. What always strikes me is that not much changes from year to year. There is always Spuds advertising their Blooming Onion and other goodies, so I stopped immediately to order lunch. Their cicken fingers are absolutely amazing, very similar to the ones served at Farnham's in Essex, MA. All white meat, nicely cripsy and not at all greasy. I always start with those since they were recommended to me by a coworker back in the 1990's. Of course there are too many other options to count: Hot dogs, corn dogs, corn on the cob, kettle corn, cider donuts, German fries (not sure what's German about them but they look tasty), candy apples, apple pie, cotton candy, kebabs, steak sandwiches, sausages, pizza, pastries, icecream, and, and, and. After lunch I was ready to rumble and the first thing I saw were these six magnificent Clydesdales. When they stopped for photos I was able to get close to the huge, beautiful horses which was a real thrill. Coolidge Hall was next where I always enjoy looking at the arts and crafts such as quilts, hand-knitted items, paintings and photography. While the rides and game stands are certainly adding to the "Fair Flair" (<--clever, right?), I especially enjoy the actual farm exhibits. Where else can you see every type of rabbit imaginable, every breed of chickens and roosters, geese, pigs, ducks, cows, turkeys, sheep and goats. You can even watch chickens hatch which is not something you see every day. The bee exhibit is very interesting as well; you can buy fresh honey and make your own beeswax candles there.

Also always beautiful to look at are the landscaping designs done by local landscapers and the fresh flower arrangements submitted by various area garden clubs. They are just stunning. Of course the creatively decorated pumpkins are a fun sight as well. After all that excitement and before heading home I took a final break with my favorite snack of all time: A fresh, golden, delicious corn on the cob from the American Legion stand, which I devoured while listening to live music in the picnic area.

Do not miss experiencing this really unique event, one of America's oldest farm oriented fairs since it was started by the Essex Agricultural Society way back when in 1818. They are still the organizers today. You will have a great time, I promise!