The oldest running fair in America, the Topsfield Fair once again opens its gates on Friday, delighting attendees with the best of New England's agricultural and entertainment offerings. One of the most highly anticipated events is the 39th New England giant pumpkin weigh-off according to Boston 25 News.
Last year, the weigh-off crowned its champion: Jamie Graham, of Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, whose gargantuan pumpkin weighed in at a staggering 2,480 pounds. This achievement shattered the 2012 record, also set at the Topsfield Fair, by a 2,075.5-pound pumpkin grown by Steve Connolly from Sharon, Massachusetts.
The New England giant pumpkin weigh-off has blossomed into an internationally recognized event since its inception in 1984 as an offshoot of the Fair’s Family Garden Largest Cucurbit Contest. In its first year, the winning pumpkin weighed 433 pounds, a far cry from the colossal gourds seen in recent years, yet still monumental at that time according to Tops Fields Fair. The weigh-off has grown exponentially since then, often setting and breaking records, and attracting an ever-increasing number of entrants and spectators.
As the Topsfield Fair unfolds over the next 11 days, fairgoers will be treated to various performances by esteemed musical acts such as Starship, Foghat, The Drifters, and Clay Walker. In addition, attendees can enjoy a smorgasbord of traditional fair foods and libations at a beer garden available on-site, accordingto Boston 25 News.
