What to Know About the Topsfield Fair This Weekend: Oct. 4-5

Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5 are the second and third days of the 2014 Topsfield Fair, the oldest fair in the country. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. at both days at the fairgrounds on Route 1. The agricultural buildings close at 10 p.m.

Free Dock Dogs competitions run all day Saturday and Sunday in the grandstand.

The Grand Parade starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Topsfield Common and heads down Main Street to Maple Street and into the Fairgrounds. The opening ceremonies and flag raising will happen at the Trianon Stage at 10 a.m.

The Junior King and Queen Pageant will occur at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday on the Trianon Stage.

Robinson’s Racing Pigs, which return to the Topsfield Fair this year, perform on Grange Road at noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

Along Arena Road, the “Nerveless Knocks” aerial stunt performers will have shows at 11 a.m. and 1, 3 and 5 p.m. both days.

On Saturday, there are two monster truck shows in the arena that each require an additional ticket. There are “pit parties” at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. with the monster truck shows each at 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person for each show.

The Essex County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit will put on a demonstration in the Essex County Farmyard on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. On Sunday, the State Police K-9 unit will put on a demonstration in the Essex County Farmyard at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Judging for the baking contests will happen both weekend days in Coolidge Hall. Sunday is the final day to pre-register for the pumpkin desert contest.

The U.S. Marine Corps Band will perform on the Trianon Stage on Sunday at noon and 5 p.m.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are at the fair this year, with a meet and greet in the arena from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday and the musical ride in the arena at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Hallamore Clydesdales 8-Horse Hitch will also be on display in the arena at 1:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

In the arena, there will be horse-pulling during the day on Sunday.

Admission is $15 for adults on Saturday and Sunday. Children under eight are free with a paying adult. Parking is $10 per car. Overflow parking will be available at Masconomet High School and North Shore Community College on both Saturday and Sunday with free shuttle bus service direct to the fair.