Topsfield Fair

Topsfield Fair

The biggest fair near Boston is the Topsfield Fair held every October. This fair has been running since 1818. Topsfield is about 20 minutes from our house.

The fair is very popular and friends had told us the best strategy was to go before it opened. We did, and we were able to drive right in and park with no traffic. We even got in before the fair officially opened and got to wander around with no crowds at all.

There was a petting zoo where the girls could pet goats and sheep. They also had elephant rides. Audrey had one but Charlotte was not interested.

When it came time for "lunch" we had to indulge in fair foods. First course was a cinnamon bun. Then some fried dough, of course, and later on some maple cotton candy (delicious!).

When we weren't stuffing our faces we saw sheep, cows and rabbits. And in the vegetable barn we saw one of the main draws of the fair: the 1600 lb. winning pumpkin.

I also took Audrey on the big slide. As is her pattern, she was a little trepidatious but ended up absolutely loving it.

By 1:00 or so it was getting really crowded. Carol had the brilliant idea to quit before everyone got tired and cranky so we did. After we left the parking lot we passed the three-mile long line of cars waiting to get *to* the fair. Yup, we did it right!