Organizers of the Topsham Fair, which begins its 158th edition Tuesday, always try to offer some new events to patrons in addition to the must-haves such as the demolition derby — and this year brings an event ever-growing in popularity all the way from Sonkajärvi, Finland.

Yes, it’s a “Redneck Partner Carrying Contest” — Topsham Fair’s take on the wife-carrying competition that will provide an opportunity for local couples to show their stuff.

The contest is scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (Area 1). Contestants must be at least 18 and can sign up at the information booth at the Topsham Fair. The first 10 couples to enter get Tshirts. Dick Brown, the fair’s superintendent of Livestock who helped plan the event, said, “We’ve had quite a lot of interest. It’s going to be an obstacle course” that the carrying partner will have to navigate through. “It’s going to be interesting and it ought to be a hoot to watch.”

According to the rules, the person being carried must wear a helmet and if they touch the ground, the couple will be disqualified. The team completing the course in the least amount of time wins. Brown said the prize is the weight of the person being carried in dollars.

According to the Finnish wife carrying contest website, www.eukonkanto.fi/en/, “In spite of its humorous aspects it has deep roots in the local history. In the late 1800s, there was a brigand called Rosvo- Ronkainen living in the area. In his troops he is said to have accepted only the men who proved their worth on a challenging track. In those days, a common practice was to steal women from the neighboring villages. Today, not even a gentle compulsion is being used, the ladies volunteer for the mission of the championships.”

The website states that the wife carrying championship event has been organized at Sonkajärvi since 1992 and similar events are being organized in countries around the world.

Also new this year is Tuesday’s Mutton Bustin sheep-riding event for 8-year-olds. There are only enough slots for 20 kids, so Brown said there will be a drawing to choose 10 boys and 10 girls — all of whom get T-shirts. Participants will wear helmets and padding. Brown said whoever gets the farthest without falling off wins and will get $20.

The Redneck Truck Pull starts Friday at 6:30 p.m. and the winners of each class will get a free fair pass for the next day. Demolition derbies are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday. If you don’t have a car to crash and smash, one will be auctioned off before Wednesday’s derby and five or six before Saturday’s derby. The purse is $500 for the winner and $100 for runner-up Wednesday; and $1,000 for the winner and $100 for the runner-up Saturday night. Contestants have to pay admission to get in the fair but do not have to pay a registration fee this year. Depending on the level of interest, Brown said there may be a ladies heat.

Marilyn Hunter, the fair’s general director, said the fairgrounds has a new building that will have sheep and goats in it. The new Favreau Building — built last year behind the exhibition hall — will host a fiber farm starting Wednesday with fiber vendors who will be spinning, selling wares and showing their animals — alpacas, sheep, and angora rabbits and sheep.

Tuesday and Sunday, Aug. 12, there will be sheep herding demonstrations, which is a new event. The fireworks this year will be the last day of the fair, at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 12. Also Sunday at 6 p.m., Birdie Googins, “the Marden’s Lady,” will perform a comedy show. Starting at 7:30 p.m., the Kelly Parker Country Band will perform up until the fireworks.

Shawn Robert, the fair association’s second vice president, said that Gov. Paul Le- Page is expected to visit the fair Tuesday night and may be seen greeting folks around 6 p.m.

Admission to the fair this year, which includes all rides, will cost $10 Tuesday through Thursday, and $12 on Friday through Sunday, Aug. 12. Children under 3 get in free if they don’t plan to use the rides. Tuesday is senior citizen day and seniors pay $3 — which does not include rides.

Before the fair officially starts, free events are scheduled at the fair Sunday, Aug. 5 and Monday, Aug. 6 — to spotlight harness racing. Sunday is the Maine Trail Riders horse show all day, and harness racing at 5 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.

Monday there will be a blood drive at the fairgrounds starting at 1 p.m. The first 50 receive a T-shirt and all pint donors receive a one-admission only pass to the fair. To make an appointment, call 1- 800-red-cross or visit their www.redcross.org. Space is limited. Gates open at 8 a.m. Aug. 7 through Aug. 12. Best access to the fair is from the Route 196 Coastal Connector. For a full schedule, map and additional information, visit www.topshammaine.net or find Topsham Fair Association on Facebook.