Seasonal & Holidays

RI Man Takes Grand Prize At Topsfield Fair Giant Pumpkin Contest

Steve Sperry, of Johnston, RI, had the greatest gourd that checked in at 1,986 pounds for the contest held despite the fair cancellation.

The Topsfield Fair Giant Pumpkin Contest went on this year despite the cancellation of the fair due to the coronavirus crisis.
The Topsfield Fair Giant Pumpkin Contest went on this year despite the cancellation of the fair due to the coronavirus crisis. (Renee Schiavone/Patch)

TOPSFIELD, MA — While there are no amusement park rides, fried dough or racing pigs in Topsfield this year there is one great big pumpkin out of Rhode Island.

Despite canceling the fair due to the coronavirus health crisis, Topsfield Fair organizer Essex Agricultural Society did still host a socially distanced Great Pumpkin Contest with Steve Sperry, of Johnston, RI, delivering the greatest gourd at 1,986 pounds.

The Essex Agricultural Society said in July it was canceling the 2020 Topsfield Fair over coronavirus concerns. The decision came a month after organizers said they were still moving forward with plans for the 2020 fair, even as other fairs scheduled for this fall announce plans to cancel.

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The Topsfield Fair, which drew 38,000 people during last year's opening weekend, had been scheduled to run Oct. 2 through 12. The fair was not held in 1943, 1944 and 1945 during World War II.

It was also canceled in 1918 during the Spanish flu pandemic.

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