206th Topsfield Fair Reveals Hundreds Of Contests For 2024

TOPSFIELD, MA — The 206th Topsfield Fair will include hundreds of contests for both amateur and professional entrants during its run from Oct. 4 through 14.

The contests range from annual favorites the giant pumpkin contest, Junior Queen and King and Mrs. Essex County, to contests for arts, crafts, canning, beekeeping and livestock.

Some of the contests include prize money while others are just for bragging rights. Contestants can upload their entries online.

Contests include:

• Beekeeping – Honey Products, Beeswax Products, Arts & Crafts, Cooking with Honey & Spirits, etc. Entry Deadlines vary based on category.
• Canning – Jam, Jelly, Pickles, Preserves, Relish, etc. Entry Deadline: 9/3. Entries accepted on 9/7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Crafts - Ceramic, Crocheting, Doll, Jewelry, Knitting, Needlework, Models, Quilting, Rug, Sewing, Smocking, Spinning, Weaving, Woodworking, etc. Entry Deadline: 9/2. Entries accepted 9/14 & 9/15 from noon to 4 p.m.
• Farm Photography - Theme: Agriculture in Massachusetts. Entry forms and photos must be at the Fair office by 8/30.
• Fine Art (Amateur & Professional) – Painting, Graphics, Photography, etc. Entry Deadline: 9/2. Entries accepted 9/7 & 9/8 from noon – 4 p.m.
• Flowers – Bonsai, Dahlias & Zinnias, Roses, Sunflowers, Hanging Basket, Holiday Decoration, House Plants, Terrariums, etc. Entry Deadline: 9/30. Entries accepted 10/3 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Foods – Topsfield Fair Fall Harvest Baked Sweet Treat Contest, King Arthur Baking Company Favorite Muffin Contest, Topsfield Fair Apple Pie Contest, Parent & Child Cookie Celebration Contest (Theme: Favorite Things To Do At Topsfield Fair). Entry deadlines vary.
• Fruit – Apples, Berries, Crabapples, Grapes, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Quinces. Entry Forms Due and Entries accepted on 10/3 from 7 p.m. — 9 p.m.
• Giant Pumpkins – Over $15,000 in prize money up for grabs. Entry Deadline: 9/20. Weigh-off to be held on 10/4.
• Junior Fruit, Vegetable & Decorative – Enter your decorated pumpkin, gourds and more. Entry Deadline: 9/20.
• Poultry – Ducks & Geese, Standard Poultry, Eggs, Bantams, Cock Crowing, Hen Flying, Turkeys, Pigeons, Non-Standard Barnyard Rooster, Poster. Entry Deadline: 9/17. Entries accepted 10/3 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Vegetables – Beans, Beets, Carrots, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Onions, Potatoes, Peppers, Squash, Tomatoes, and many more categories. Entry Deadline: 9/27. Entry Forms Due and Entries accepted on 10/5 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The two pageants held annually at the Topsfield Fair are:

• Junior King & Queen - For children ages 5–8, who will be judged on general appearance, conduct and personality. Each child will be interviewed on stage. All contestants will be asked to be dressed in casual attire. Entry Deadline: 10/4. The pageant will be held on 10/5 at 1 p.m.

• Mrs. Essex County – Contestants must be married, at least 18 years old, currently living in Essex County with their spouse. Each contestant will submit a prepared food item. A preliminary interview will be conducted, and selected participants will appear in the pageant in elegant cocktail wear and will be judged on general appearance, personality, poise, and food score. Entry Deadline: 10/10. The pageant will be held on 10/13 at 1 p.m.

Entry forms are available here. Information on each contest can be found in the "Exhibitor’s Handbook" under the "About" section on the home page of the website.

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