In Search of Food: From Topsfield to Burma

This weekend, we headed to the Topsfield Fair, which is the oldest agricultural fair in the country -- and completely and ridiculously awesome!   One of the adventures we took BMG (before Mumpus and Grumpus) was the fair last year, and G has been thinking about getting another turkey leg ever since.  We've included a video montage of pictures from the fair and the Burmese food festival at the very bottom of this post.

Non-food Reason #1 why the Topsfield Fair is awesome: Poultry Throwing

Get the Chicken

Throw the Chicken

That's right, poultry throwing.  First, split the birds up into a variety of divisions based on their size and weight (bantam, heavy weight, etc.). Second, have an old man take a bird out of its cage and throw it.  Third, see how far it flies before it lands.  Fourth, have girl in chicken hat retrieve the bird. Repeat.

Most of the chickens went anywhere from 7 to 15 feet -- not too far, but a good showing nonetheless.  But one of the chickens in the bantam class wanted more.  It wanted to fly.  And it did -- around in circles, through the trees and then out of the fair!  It was hilarious.

Non-food Reason #2 why the Topsfield Fair is awesome: Crazy Arts and Crafts
Single-hoop rugs. Quilts.  Amateur Photographs.  Demos on how to make a rug.  Diaramas made by adults.  This area was full of unexpected surprises -- including a first-place single loop rug from M's professor and mentor, the multi-talented Amy Lishko.

Boo!

Amy's is the big red one!

Non-food Reason #3 why the Topsfield Fair is awesome: a 1,660 pound pumpkin!

What a Pumpkin!

Non-food Reason #4 why the Topsfield Fair is awesome: Poultry with Bouffant Hair




Non-food Reason #5 why the Topsfield Fair is awesome: Flower Displays
People from all over the state bring their finest flowers to the fair.  While they might be beautiful when the fair begins, but the time we got there a week later, most of them were dead.

These used to be beautiful

What are you looking at?

There are many other reasons why the Fair is great, but before we bore all of you to tears, we'll turn out attention to the food.  Enjoy!