TOPSFIELD — The Topsfield Fair has so many forms of entertainment, it's tough for the average fairgoer to know which ones to see and do.
That's why it's important to walk through the gates with your own don't-miss list of rides and games, exhibits, and shows. With the fair set to begin tomorrow, we offer our list of perennial favorites.
Music
Over the years, the fair has hosted such musical legends as Chubby Checker (who's back again this year), Johnny Cash and Charlie Daniels. Purists might not put Peter Tork in the same category, but who can resist the chance to see the man Jimi Hendrix called "the most talented Monkee"?
Tork, unlike his fellow Monkees from the 1960s TV show, actually was a musician before starring in the 1960s TV show. He now has his own group, Shoe Suede Blues, and will appear at the fair Wednesday at 2 and 7 p.m.
Plus, Cape Anners can catch some sounds from our side of the bridge when some locals play the Trianon Stage at 8 p.m.; Garfish performs Friday, while the Gloucester High School's jazz band The Docksiders perform Saturday. On Monday, Oct. 11, local band Safety plays two shows of '80s favorites on the Kiddie Land stage, at 7 and 9 p.m.
Rides
Newer fair rides like Zero Gravity, Starship Exodus and Freakout sound cool, but we prefer an un-freakish spin on the old-fashioned Ferris wheel. The Topsfield Fair Ferris wheel is hauled in on four semitrailer trucks and takes a seven-man crew eight hours to assemble, according to Gene Dean Jr. of Fiesta Shows, the company that runs the rides at the fair.
At 110 feet tall, this Ferris wheel isn't huge, at least when compared with the world's largest, the 680-foot Great Wheel of China. But you still can't beat the views when your "tub," as Dean calls the thing you ride in, stops at the top.
Games
With the Red Sox officially eliminated, our sporting interest turns to basketball, and that means taking aim at one of the fair's many hoop shoot games. Dean acknowledges that not all of the hoops are regulation size, "but the ones that aren't have signage marking it," he said.
After last weekend's Shaq sighting in Salem, don't be surprised if you spot a certain 7-footer in line in front of you.
Animals
Nothing against cows and pigs and other four-legged farm animals, but we love watching those industrious insects at the Beekeeping & Honey Show.
Fairgoers can get an up-close look at four "live observation hives" in the Beekeeping Building and learn about the inner workings of a bee colony from beekeepers. The show also includes hundreds of entries in various beekeeping competitions, such as cooking with honey and beekeeping-related arts and crafts.
Want to go?
What: Topsfield Fair
When: Tomorrow through Monday, Oct. 11
Hours: Opening day, 4 to 10 p.m.; Oct. 2 to 11, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Admission: $10 weekdays (kids 7 and under free), $12 weekends and Columbus Day. Parking is $8.
Discounts and deals: Available for advance purchases, rides, passes and entertainment, through the fair website, www.topsfieldfair.org
More information: www.topsfieldfair.org
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