Topsfield Fairgrounds

I love a good fair, however, the only thing I don’t like is that they think they can and should charge you up the booty for everything. Parking $ 10, Admission $ 10…everything is $ 10. Before you even get in you’ve spent $ 30 for two people and you haven’t even gotten to eat the yummy food yet! Afterall, its the food and the animals to go for. Oh and the other agricultural stuff. It’s fun, but shouldn’t be so expensive.

Disgusting!
Over an 1.5 hours traffic jam to get in.
Paid crazy money to park and then admission so I can a an old sad elephant walk in circles so grossly overweight adults and crying kids can ride him.
Most heart breaking thing ever.
other than that.
It’s 99% over priced food vendors!
Paid $ 6 for caramel apple. $ 6!!! wtf!!!
I’ve been to dozens to fairs and grew up on a farm and this a bad joke.

Topsfield Fair has hired Commerford & Sons for the traveling petting zoo. They have been investigated many times for mistreatment of animals and animal welfare issues. The elephant is unhealthy, looks medicated as well as the underweight and undersized camel. Both animals are kept in very small enclosures and then have to live in a despicable traveling crate not big enough for them to move around in. When will people stop giving this company money? I contacted PETA, the local newspapers, and the Fair. The Fair has not responded. Save your money on this carnival circus atmosphere and go to a real fair where there aren’t animals being mistreated and your local AG has representation.

Disgusts me how they treat the elephant! All they want is profits for that poor living thing giving rides to people! Stop the abuse!!!

One good thing is that we were able to park fairly close for $ 10 and there was a shortcut to the fair entrance through the lot that we parked in.
To start off our visit to the fair itself, the woman sitting near the entrance was directing people to get their purses/​bags etc. checked, which is understandable until she so rudely directed me to the table even though I was already in line and explaining to my boyfriend that I needed to stop to have my purse inspected and the lady continued to yell «MA’AM YOU CANT GO IN YET»… Really? I mean I was already in line it’s not like I was booking it away from her which is what you would think from how she was yelling. I really wanted to turn around and yell back at her but I refrained and not to mention rude «customer service» people are my BIGGEST pet peeve.
We tried to be smart by going on a weekday but that didn’t seem to make a difference, it was still extremely crowded however it is a few dollars cheaper to enter during the week, $ 11 during the week and I believe $ 15 on the weekend.
We ate a lot of delicious over-​priced food which is really the main reason why we even went and we played some games which as we all know is always a rip off but still a good time.
We felt sorry for one of the food vendors we visited because his food stand was secluded over toward the games and rides, not near all of the other food stands and he told us it really hurts his business not being around the other food vendors because nobody knows that he is there! He told us he would not be returning next year because whoever organizes the fair refused to give him a different spot.
What really topped it off for me was the condition that the animals are kept in, It actually made me sick to my stomach seeing these animals in such cramped conditions. I’ve already read other reviews people have posted about animal cruelty and I don’t disagree. We went in to the area where they were keeping the cows and Bulls, the Bulls were in a pen so small that the behind of the bull is touching one side and his head was touching the other and on top of that the bull has a 2′ rope tied to it so it can’t move around at all, I understand these animals are dangerous but I would much rather not be able to see one at all than too look at one in that condition. Then the cows are all tied with short ropes facing the wall but when we saw them some had turned sideways so there were cows on top of each other, skinny and cramped. I could only imagine the conditions all of the other animals were kept in as well. It was very disturbing to look at and I couldn’t spend more than a minute in there.
Needless to say we will not be returning any time soon.

The pro’s — I always look forward to seeing the Giant Pumpkin, visiting the Beekeepers, and enjoying some Learned’s apple crisp! The staff on the fair grounds were very helpful. If you do go, M-​T is best. It was quiet on a Tuesday night.
What we disliked, the Oxen Pulling. I am saddened to see the oxen had to endure whipping all morning, afternoon, and night as I look through my program. The trainer repeatedly whipped these animals in the face, one visibly hurt in the eye. I was disturbed and so were my friends. These animals were restrained together by their necks and just winced in pain from the lashes of their disgruntled trainer when they could no longer move these bricks of concrete.
I truly hope this event is taken out next year. I could cry just thinking about it. The arena was fairly empty and the guests who were there were underwhelmed, this is not a family event.
We left the Topsfield Fair shortly after, what was supposed to be a fun lighthearted way to enjoy a Fall tradition for us fell short today.

Used groupon for $ 5 off the weekend ticket price ($ 15) and skipped the entrance line (which was not very long at 3pm). Unfortunately none of the shows/​exhibits were really appealing to us (petting zoo, various caged animals, elephant/​pony rides). We felt bad for all of the animals put on display for kids. Aside from animals, there were the usual carnival rides (and some aggressive operators trying to drum up business) and even a trade show with more hardcore salespeople.
The main appeal for us was the huge amount of food vendors. We had to walk around for about 20 – 30 minutes just to scope out all of the options. Would recommend the fudge – lots of options, $ 2 for a piece. A bit expensive, but tasty!
We definitely won’t be back as it’s not a very good return on investment based on our interests, but the shuttle drivers and staff were all very kind! +1 star for them.
Tip: you can park at the Masconomet high school for $ 5 and take a shuttle to the fair to save 50% on parking ($ 10 next to the fairgrounds). The shuttle comes every 10 minutes and it’s a 5 – 10 minute ride.
Pretty sure it’s all cash only so be prepared!

Coming from Wakefield, we found a way to the back parking lot. Rt1A in Beverly. No traffic at all. So $ 40 for 2 people to park and enter. Arrived around noon on Sunday.
We tried to see the pig race but the stands were full 45 minutes before it began. The flower exhibit was a little boring until we saw the best single flower which was very impressive!
Moved next to the the vegetable (fruit?) exhibit which was suprisingly good. Saw some very nicely grown things. The highlight was the nearly 2,000lb pumpkin and some gourds. Unfortunately, this was only one of two places cider donuts were available. And both were not cinnamon sugar donuts but were $ 10 for a dozen. Need to go elsewhere for those.
Copperdome pizza was the surprise. OH MY GOD! I wish I could eat that everyday! I’ve been to Santaroios faucuis name you’re house of pizza. Nothing will ever compare. Please start a restaurant. Preferably in the Stoneham area.
One disappointing thing was I couldn’t find bacon that was not maple.

This place is your typical fair with carnies, smelly animals and deep fried everything. Try to avoid going on the weekends. Its getting more and more expensive each year so try to get passes. I usually go every couple of years because its the same experience each time I go. Wear old boots if you can because there is dirt everywhere.