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 will offer free harness racing tonight at 5 p.m. There will also be harness racing during the full week of the fair on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. The fair runs from Tuesday to Saturday.

The official start takes place Tuesday and, as it also is Senior Day, senior citizen admission is $3. Regular admission for the fair will be $10 every day except Saturday, which will cost $12. Admission includes rides.

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. Also new this year, the Topsham Trail Riders is 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 caller Friday at 7:20 p.m. behind the exhibition hall near the information booth.

Participants of the Redneck Truck Pulls should be aware the truck pull was moved to Sunday, Aug. 10, at 4 p.m.

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

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

The fair has constructed a new stage that will be in use. An antique wagon museum also is now on display in one of the former horse barns.

There will be 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 will 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, the construction rodeo Thursday night 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/sheman strength competition returns. Pig scrambles will take place Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights for 6-, 7- and 5-year-olds, respectively.

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

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

FREE HARNESS RACING: Today, 5 p.m.
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 Farms: 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