Northshore Magazine

Northshore September 18

Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.

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NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 38 SEPTEMBER 2018 PHOTOGRAPHS BY KINDRA CLINEFF For millions of people across generations, autumn on the North Shore is synonymous with the Topsfield Fair, with its fairytail-sized pumpkins, whirling carnival rides, sticky cara- mel apples, and adorable animals. I've been one of those fairgoers since I was a child, and those annual trips to the fair shine bright in my memory. As a teenager, I strolled through the fairgrounds hand in hand with my high school boyfriend, who tried valiantly to win me a stuffed animal on the midway. As a mom nearly 20 years later, I watched my own little girl delight in winning herself a goldfish after a triumphant game of ring toss. So when I was tasked with writing a book commemorating the fair's 200th anniversary, I jumped at the chance to be part of its history. And what a history it's been. e Topsfield Fair claims the title of oldest continually run- ning agricultural fair in the country and packs nonstop action into every corner of its 83-acre fairgrounds. It runs 11 days and welcomes nearly half a million people. e fair certainly has changed a lot since a group of "practical farmers" first met in 1818 to form the Essex Agricultural Society, which was dedicated to developing and sharing the best and latest farming techniques. e first fair was a modest cattle show, with local farmers gather- ing to compete in categories like best manure, Indian corn, butter, and swine. Although its beginnings sound humble, THE TOPSFIELD FAIR TURNS 200 Our author recounts both the history of the oldest agricultural fair in the country and her own personal memories of it. By Alexandra Pecci / F A C E S + P L A C E S / Today, there are over 1,000 exhibits, roughly 55 rides, and 60 games.

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