Topsfield Fair

History of the Essex Agricultural Society - 188 Years of Agriculture and Education http://www.topsfieldfair.org/

“The colorful and often exciting history of Topsfield Fair began in 1818 when the Essex Agricultural Society, the non-profit organization that owns the Topsfield Fair, was officially granted a charter on June 12th of that year”.

“The goal of the fledgling Society, formed by a group of "practical farmers" who first met on February 16, 1818, was "to promote and improve the agricultural interests of farmers and others in Essex County."”

“Topsfield Fairgrounds sits on the former Treadwell Farm property. Dr. John Goodhue Treadwell of Salem bequeathed the farm to the Agricultural Society in 1858 for the "promotion of the science of agriculture."”

Learn more here – this link http://www.topsfieldfair.org/fair%20history.htm

On Thursday 9th I was one of seven other chaperone parents to take the St. Pius V. School Fifth Graders to the Topsfield Fair in Topsfield, Massachusetts. I had five students in my group; my daughter Sabrina, Sheila, Ashley, Angela and Yvonne who all did great a staying together. They were allowed to look at the exihibts - and they loved the BEEKEEPER one the most.

BUT they were not allowed to go on the rides or play the games. Which worked out fine. We were back on the bus by 12:30 PM. I heard on the radio that morning that John Travolta flew his private plane into the Beverly Airport and was going to visit the Topsfield Fair. I didn;t see him - but I did hear the theme song from Welcome Back Kotter! Which brought me back to my youth when JT was the hottest star. Of course I had posters on my wall and records albumns of his songs and copied all of his dance moves! (I even took a Disco class at the Cambridge Y.M.C.A. - "Nite Fever"...Nite...Fever")

On Monday October 13th Sabrina and I were back at the Topsfield Fair because the Toastmaster Area A-3 Governor Richard Baker arranged to have his A-3 Area Humorous Speech Contest at the Fair on one of the stages. He asked me to be a judge and I gladly agreed. After the judges deliverated he asked me up to give a Table Topic (speaking off the cuff)that was an unexpected but welcoming moment of "STAGE TIME"!!

I promised to take Sabrina on the rides because she couldn;t go on them on her school field trip so after the contest off we went to enjoy another day at the Fair!!

Oh and I just had to share this chuckle I got when I read the first half of this sign since there are SOOOO many animals at the Fair - "No Pets allowed at the Fair" -Exception: Guide Dogs.

Here is a list of State and County Fairs in New England http://www.newenglandexplorer.com/statefairsne.htm

Here is a book by David H. Fletcher - Topsfield Fair: America's Oldest - see this link http://www.amazon.com/Topsfield-Fair-Americas-Oldest-America/dp/0738512079

I hope YOU take the time to enjoy YOUR local fairs.
Share what exhibits you like and why.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beekeeping

Beekeeping (or apiculture, from Latin apis, bee) is the maintenance of honey bee colonies, commonly in hives, by humans. A beekeeper (or apiarist) keeps bees in order to collect honey and beeswax, for the purpose of pollinating crops, or to produce bees for sale to other beekeepers. A location where bees are kept is called an apiary.

The Beekeeping & Honey Show at Topsfield Fair is the largest at any fair in North America. The first honey exhibits were entered in 1844. The show has been operated and sponsored by the Essex County Beekeepers Association since 1928. In 1998 the International Association of Fairs and Expositions awarded it "First Place" for the excellence of its presentation.
There are up to four live observation hives on display during the Fair. Knowledgeable beekeepers will explain the inner workings of a bee colony to fairgoers. Children can make their own honeycomb beeswax candle to take home as a souvenir of their visit to the Beekeeping Building.
At the 2007 Fair there were more than 250 entries into four divisions at the show including: honey, beeswax, beekeeping related arts & crafts and cooking with honey. The competition is open to all.
2008 American Honey Queen

http://www.topsfieldfair.org/tour/bee/honey-queen.htm

http://www.topsfieldfair.org/tour/bee/honey%20ambassador.htm

Essex County BeeKeepers Association
http://essexcountybeekeepers.org/index.shtml

Essex County Beekeepers' Association is an non-profit organization comprised of hobbyist beekeepers based in Topsfield, Massachusetts, USA, with a membership of over 400 from several states. Monthly meetings are held for the purpose of fellowship and discussion about honeybees. The club is active in education, sponsoring an annual multi-week course in the art of apiculture, and maintaining a beekeeping exhibition and honey show each autumn at the Topsfield Fair (the largest such exhibition and show in the country).

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