Opening Day Parade

Opening Day Parade has been a Topsfield Fair Tradition for years. The Grand Parade will be stepping off from the Topsfield Town Common promptly at 9:00 AM. Participants in this colorful event include: Town officials, an Essex County fire truck competition, Town & State Police, Sheriffs, scout troops, local and fair department floats, animals, and of course a large contingent of local and state politicians. Usually the Masconomet Regional High School Band, the Danvers High School Band, the Proctor School Band, and the Shriners Oriental Band take part. The parade makes its way to the Fairgrounds for opening ceremonies at 10:00 AM, setting the stage for 10 days of fun, action and entertainment.

Three weekday parades take place through the fairgrounds at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. These fun parades include distribution of mardi gras beads, T-shirts, and beach balls. The parades have become very popular with our mid-week crowds.

As historical accounts of the 1900 Fair reported, “The street parade of decorated wagons of tradesmen, grange wagons, and carriages made a fine display and filled the streets of Peabody to overflowing.”