TOPSHAM

The Topsham Fair enters its 160th year this week when it opens gates at 8 a.m. Tuesday with its usual mix of entertainment, rides, games, animals and contests for visitors of all ages.

The fair on Sunday and Monday nights, Aug. 3-4, will offer free harness racing at 5 p.m. and Sunday, a free all day horse show by Maine Trail Riders. There will also be harness racing during the full week of the fair on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday Aug. 9. 

Tuesday the fair officially starts and is senior day, when seniors get in for $3. Admission is $10 per person Tuesday through Sunday with the exception of Saturday when it will be $12 each. Admission includes rides. The fair runs from Tuesday, Aug. 5 to Saturday, Aug. 10.

New this year, New England Rodeo will provide bull riding shows Thursday and Friday at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. in front of the grandstand. Participants of the Redneck Truck Pulls should be aware the truck pull was moved to Sunday, Aug. 10 at 4 p.m.

Also new this year, the Topsham Trail Riders are putting on an ATV speed run and fun night Tuesday at 7 p.m. by the grandstand; and there will be square dancing with a square dance caller Friday at 7:20 p.m. behind the exhibition hall near the information booth.

Comedian Birdie Googins returns to the stage at the fair Friday at 6 p.m. and new on Saturday from 4-7 p.m. is an ice sculpture demonstration by Subzero using a 300 pound chunk of ice.

Children’s Day is Sunday and all events on the stage will be geared towards youth, including a cutest baby contest, miniature horse cart rides and free face painting. 

The fair has constructed a new stage which will be in use during the fair and there is now an antique wagon museum display in one of the former horse barns. 

There are new food contests and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension  is doing two canning demonstrations, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday. Miss Maine, Audrey Thames of Topsham, will be on hand Tuesday to help judge the Blueberry Pie contest and be making rounds at the fair Saturday as well.

The always popular Demolition Derby will feature crashing and smashing Wednesday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. near the grandstand. 

Returning competitions include the Mutton Bustin’ sheep riding for 8-year-olds and the construction rodeo Thursday nigh and on Sunday the fry pan throwing contest at noon, the back seat drivers contest at 1 p.m. and at 2 p.m., the he/she-man strength competition returns. Pig scrambles are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights for 5, 6 and 7 year olds. 

Some new bands will perform and other popular bands are returning including: Puddin Head on Tuesday; Bad Penny Band Wednesday; Sharon Buck and Dixon Road Thursday; The Saltwater Hillbilly Friday; Bill Cameron, Backlash and Pariah Saturday and No Guts No Glory 80’s Rock Band Sunday night on Aug. 10.

For more information, a full schedule and maps, visit www.topshamfair.net.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

DAILY OPENINGS DURING FAIR, AUG. 5-10:

Gates open: 8 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday

Exhibition Hall: 10 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday

Cattle barn and Old McDonald’s Farm: 10 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday

Fiber Farm: 11 a.m. Wednesday-Sunday

MIDWAY: Noon Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday; 2 p.m. Wednesday-Friday

Grandstand and Wagon Museums: noon Tuesday-Sunday

Agriculture Scavenger Hunt prize drawing: Area 1, 6:45 p.m.

ADMISSION:

—$10 each Tuesday-Friday and Sunday, includes rides

—$12 each Saturday, includes rides

—$3 for seniors Tuesday

— Children’s Day Sunday, children under 16 of military families get half off with ID. (Children under 36” tall get in free)

FIREWORKS: Saturday, Aug. 9, 10 p.m.; rain date Sunday, Aug. 10

FREE HARNESS RACING: Sunday, Aug. 3 and Monday, Aug. 4, 5 p.m.