The monster trucks are coming to Topsham Fair next week and they will be crushing what lies in their path.

The Topsham Fair returns Sunday for its 161st year and is one of the oldest agriculture fairs in the state, established in 1854.

The fairgrounds will be open to the public at no cost on Sunday, Aug. 2, and Monday, Aug. 3, for harness racing at the track at 5 p.m. and Emily’s Restaurant will be open already those days as well as through the fair.

The fair gates open at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4 and the fair runs through to Sunday, Aug. 9. The cost for admission is $10 Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday; and $12 on Friday and Saturday. All admission fees include limitless rides. Children under 36 inches tall get in for free.

Senior Day is Tuesday and senior get in for $3.

Sunday is Children’s Day with a number of special entertainment activities for children. That includes everything from face painting to a pie eating and gingerbread house making contests to a cutest baby contest and a children’s musician who will be entertaining. Madscience will return to do science experiments with the kids.

The always popular demolition derbies will again crash and smash on Wednesday and again Saturday night followed by fireworks. The Redneck Truck Pull is Sunday afternoon.

New this year is the rain or shine Monster Truck Show on Thursday and Friday night at 7 p.m. by Rettew Motorsports of Pennsylvania. Fair-goers can watch the show for free with regular admittance and do not need to purchase specific tickets for the event as many have asked.

There will be three monster trucks and also a monster van that people can ride in for $10. Robert’s Auto Center donated 16 cars to be crushed during the monster truck shows. One of the trucks will be on display before the show Thursday at the Topsham Fair Mall, and others may be seen from the road next week along the Route 196 Coastal Connector.

Also new this year, 4-H has its own building and will have shows feature horses, sheep, rabbit and youth beef and dairy in the Favreau Building.

There will be a number of new baking contests at the exhibition hall and several adult competitions, such as the Backhoe Contest Thursday night and the He/She- Man Strength Competition, Back Seat Drivers Contest and Fry Pan Throwing Contest on Sunday.

For children, the pig scrambles return for 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds and Mutton Busting for 8-year-olds.

There are many bands lined up including the Veayo Twins Wednesday night; the Emerald Sky country band Thursday night; recording artist Lexi James Friday night; the Kelly Parker country band Saturday night and the Veggies Rock Band Sunday night. Bluegrass bands Pejepscot Station and Puddinhead will play back to back Tuesday night.

Fair organizers noted there will be no Sunrise Stampede 5K race Sunday morning.

For more information, a full schedule and maps, visit www.topshamfair.net. Visit Topsham Fair Association on Facebook.

Daily openings during the fair, Aug. 4-9:

Gates open: 8 a.m. Tues.-Sun. Exhibition Hall: 10 a.m. Tues.-Sun. Cattle barn and Old McDonald’s Farms: 10 a.m. Tues.-Sun. Midway: Noon Tues., 2 p.m. Sat. & Sun, Wed.-Fri. Grandstand & Wagon Museums: Noon Tues.-Sun. Admission: · $10 each Tues.-Thurs. & Sun., includes rides · $12 Fri. & Sat., includes rides · $3 for seniors Tues. · Children’s Day Sun., children under 16 of military families get half off with ID. (Children under 36 inches tall get in free) Fireworks: Sat., Aug. 8, 10 p.m.; rain date Sun., Aug. 9. Free harness racing: Sun.,Mon., 5 p.m.