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The Arena

Horse Pulling

Aside from cattle shows, horse and oxen pulling is perhaps the most traditional agricultural competition still being held at New England fairs. These pulls are very popular with fair patrons, not only because they are exciting, but because they are such a demonstration of skill, power and teamwork. The pulls are held in our Arena and teams come to Topsfield from several states to compete for some of the best prize money in the area.

Oxen Pulling

Aside from cattle shows, horse and oxen pulling is perhaps the most traditional agricultural competition still being held at New England fairs. These pulls are very popular with fair patrons, not only because they are exciting, but because they are such a demonstration of skill, power and teamwork. The pulls are held in our Arena and teams come to Topsfield from several states to compete for some of the best prize money in the area.

Sheep Dog Trials

This is Topsfield Fair’s newest exhibit! A sheep dog trial is a competitive dog sport that involves herding sheep around a field, fence or gate that is directed by a dog and their handlers. This exciting event can be found in the Arena on the Wednesday of the Topsfield Fair.

Touch A Truck

Get up close, climb and explore the insides of all kinds of big trucks and emergency vehicles. You won’t want to miss out on this opportunity to get behind these vehicles and to discover more about them!

Stock Farm Tractor Pull

Topsfield Fair’s Stock Farm Tractor Pull was established back in 1990. The original intent of this contest for antique tractors was to have an event where people who had a tractor in their back yard could come to the Fair, join the pull and have some fun. The Stock Farm Tractor Pull is for exactly that – stock farm tractors from your backyard with no modifications – tractors should be original to that provided by the manufacturer and of a model year of 1970 or older.

Tractors come from all over Essex County and Rockingham County in New Hampshire, numbering over 100 plus participants in 2008 up from the 60 that were in the first contest all those years ago.

The pull is held on the second Friday in the Arena. There are ten weight classes, all for tractors weighing less than 13,000 pounds and developing less than 115 PTO horsepower. In 2018, four “enhanced classes: were added, now totaling fourteen classes. Tractors with “enhanced motors” are those that have been modified to produce more horsepower than the stock motors provided by the manufacturer when the tractor was built. Because of the extra power, the speed limit of 3.5 to 4 mph for stock tractors was increased to 12 mph for enhanced tractors.

Pre-registration is not required. Tractors are formally entered in the pull by weighing in prior to the event. Scales are open prior to the show Friday evening.

Draft Horse Show

There are several reasons why the Topsfield Fair draft horse show is one of the fair’s most popular events. This show combines agriculture with action and demands team work; not simply between driver and horses but it also requires that each horse be part of the complete unit. Classes range from single carts to the exciting six horse hitches, with several competing in the arena at the same time. Exhibitors invest many hours and dollars to insure that their animals, wagons, harnesses and equipment are turned out in superb fashion for the draft horse show.

Classes for the four major draft horse breed are featured in the show, including Belgians, Percherons, Clydesdales and Shires. Several junior driving classes give youngsters a chance to get the feel of what it means to compete with some of the best draft horse stables in the Northeast, as they learn to put their horses through their paces. Classes for lady drivers only are also included in the show, ranging from single carts and pairs to a special four horse hitch class, shown by individual breed.

The North American Six Horse Hitch Championship takes place on the second Sunday night. During the last day of the fair, winners of the 6 horse hitches in each individual breed are brought back into the arena to compete for the manager’s trophy which is awarded to the best overall hitch in the entire show. Hitches competing in this class are also awarded points toward an international championship series held later in the year.

Figure "8" Race

“Championship Double Figure 8 Racing” is a form of Action Racing developed by JM Productions a few years ago using compact cars to enhance the excitement for drivers and spectators.

This form of Figure “8”, unlike other forms, is in front of a grandstand, utilizing smaller lightweight cars taking on all the excitement of a full sized Figure 8. Speeds average between 5 and 15 miles an hour and only 5 to 10 cars are allowed on the track at one time. Drivers need to out-think and out-maneuver their competitors in order to win. Because of the challenge this event presents, its popularity is growing and is always standing room only!

Application for Figure 8 Racing with JM Motorsport Events: https://jmderby.com/

Demolition Derby

The Demolition Derby is famous for bringing the fans to the arena and is always a crowd pleaser. You can smash, crash and bash just about anything! Big cars, little cars, buses, mini vans, and more! This event is also standing room only and is always held on the night of Columbus Day!

Application for Derby with JM Motorsport Events: https://jmderby.com/

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