Massachusetts - Fairs and Festivals

• For more fun activities, see Massachusetts Events page

Eastern States Exposition
1305 Memorial Avenue
West Springfield, MA
Phone: 413-737-2443

September 17 - October 3, 2010

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Fair-goers will enjoy top name entertainment, The Big E Super Circus, Mardi Gras Parade, the Avenue of States, Storrowton Village, rides, crafts, shopping, foods from around the world and more. Time: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., daily. Cost: adults, $12 on weekdays/$15 on weekends; children ages 6 - 12, $8 on weekdays/$10 on weekends; under 6, free. Information: 413-737-2443 or visit www.thebige.com.

Franklin County Fair
Wisdom Way
Greenfield, MA
Phone: 413-774-4282

September 9-12, 2010

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This year’s fair will feature a midway, draft horse show, live entertainment, a parade, a demo derby, agricultural exhibits, firefighters' muster, the fair museum, the Flying Wallendas, and a new Children’s area. Time: Thursday, 3 - 10 p.m.; Friday, noon - 10 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Cost: adults, $9; seniors, $6; youth ages 9 - 17, $7; ages 8 and under, free. Information: 413-774-4282 or visit www.fcas.com. m.

Bourne Scallop Festival
Buzzards Bay Park, Main Street
Bourne, MA
Phone: 603-332-2616

September 24 - 26, 2010

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The 41st Annual Bourne Scallop Festival features juried American-made arts, crafts, specialty foods and music. Award winning scallop dinners, midway rides and games plus terrific headline entertainment complete this picture perfect New England event. Cost: adults, $5; children under 12, free. Information: 603-332-2616 or visit www.bournescallopfest.com.

Wellfleet OysterFest
Main Street
Wellfleet, MA
Phone: 508-349-3499

October 16 - 17, 2010

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The 10th annual Wellfleet OysterFest is a two-day street party celebrates the town's famous oysters, clams and shellfishing traditions and brings together locals and visitors alike for a weekend full of hometown flavor and big time fun. The town center becomes a walking district that offers something for everyone: local cuisine, arts and crafts, children's activities, educational exhibits, live music and the Oyster Shuck-Off competition. Satellite events away from the crowds, and many with the beautiful harbor as a backdrop, showcase all that the village has to offer. Time: Friday, 4 p.m. - 1 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: free admission. Information: visit www.wellfleetoysterfest.org.

Spencer Fair
Smithville Road
Spencer, MA
Phone: 508-958-2119

September 3 - 6, 2010

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Enjoy a day of family fun with agriculture; animal, vegetable, and horticultural competitions and exhibits, stage shows, a hypnotist, demo derbies, a truck pull, and a children’s entertainment area. Time: see website for full schedule. Cost: adults, $10; children ages 7 - 12, $6; under 7, free. Information: 508-885-5814 or visit www.spencerfair.org.

stART on the Street Festival
Park Avenue between Highland and Pleasant Streets.
Worcester, MA

September 19, 2010

Two hundred and fifty artists and crafters, over 20 performers on two stages, delicious food. Time: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: Free.

Waters Farm Days Fall Festival
Waters Farm, 53 Waters Road
Sutton, MA

October 2 - 3, 2010

Enjoy an old-fashioned fair and family fun featuring a tractor pull, wagon rides, craft vendors, lumberjack show, engine & tractor show, craft vendors, house tours, 4-H show, pony rides, pumpkin painting, all-terrain train rides, exhibits including blacksmith shop, shingle mill, maple sugar house, music, and more. Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cost: adults, $7; youth ages 3 - 17, $1. Information: 508-865-0101 or visit www.watersfarm.org.

Life Is Good Festival
5 Blue Hill River Road
Canton, MA

September 11 - 12, 2010

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Life is Good and Superfly Productions presents a two day festival with big name artists such as Jason Mraz, Ben Harper, Guster, Corinne Bailey Rae, OK Go and more. Location: Prowse Farm, off of Rte 93 (Rte 128) at exit 2B. Time: 11 a.m. - 9:40 p.m. both days. Cost: adults, $50 per day or $90 for both days; children, $10 per day or $20 for both days. Information: 888-339-2987 or visit www.lifeisgood.com/festivals.

The Boston Book Festival
Various locations around Copley Square
Boston, MA
Phone: 617-252-3240

October 16, 2010

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The highly anticipated and expanded second annual Boston Book Festival will take place on Oct. 16, 2010, in various locations around Copley Square. Festival Founder and Program Director Deborah Z Porter today announced the complete list of authors confirmed to appear at this year’s event. The featured authors represent a wide array of programming, and include Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel Laureates, children’s writers, and writers of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. For more information visit www.bostonbookfest.org.

Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival
Downtown Vineyard Haven, various theaters
Edgartown, MA

September 9 - 12, 2010

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The festival will feature a stellar selection of world cinema curated from top-notch festivals around the world, with a few undiscovered gems thrown in. Time: see website for schedule. Cost: admission fee varies. Information: visit www.mvfilmfest.com.

Brew Fest
Amesbury Sports Park, 12 South Hunt Road
Amesbury, MA

September 25, 2010

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Sample some quality brews, eat barbecue, and hear five live bands playing on an outdoor stage. The Brew Fest is the kick-off event to the 2010 North Shore Beer Week, which runs until October 2.

Fall Festival and Artisan Fair
Washington Street and Atlantic Avenue
Marblehead, MA

September 25, 2010

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This event will be held on the grounds of Historic Abbot Hall, home of the original painting of the “Spirit of 76.” Street entertainment, pumpkin decorating, and many other festivities. Saturday events: Artisan’s Marketplace, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Abbot Hall; Healing Arts Tents at Abbot Hall; Hay Rides, 1-4 p.m. on Washington Street; Chowder & Chili Fest, noon to 2 p.m. at Fruit of the Four Seasons on Atlantic Ave. and the State Street Landing. Sunday events: Pumpkin decorating for families at Shubie’s parking lot on Atlantic Avenue and hay rides. Information: www.marbleheadchamber.org/fallfestival21.html

Festival of the Arts
Lynn, MA

September 25, 2010

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The festival will feature musical entertainment, performances, children’s activities, gallery exhibitions and artisans and crafters selling their work. All activities are free to the public. Information: www.lynnarts.org

Gloucester Schooner Festival
Gloucester Waterfront
Gloucester, MA

September 3-5, 2010

The festival begins with the arrival of schooner on September 3, followed by a downtown block party from 6 to 11 p.m. Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, walking tours of Gloucester’s waterfront will be offered, and the sailing races will begin at 1 p.m. Parade of Lights is Saturday at 7:30, followed by a fireworks display over the harbor. The acclaimed Mayor’s Race will begin on Sunday at 1 p.m. Then, from 3 to 10 p.m. there is a concert and celebration at 65 Rogers Street. General admission is $15 in advance. Information: www.capeannvacations.com/schooner/

Kerouac Literary Festival
Various Lowell Locations
Lowell, MA
Phone: 978-459-6150

September 30 - October 3, 2010

Celebrating the literary contributions of Lowell's favorite native son and the those of the writers who were inspired by him. Includes a pub crawl, readings, poetry and prose competition, lectures, music and film. See website for schedule and ticket info. Information: 978-459-6150 or visit www.lowellcelebrateskerouac.org.

Topsfield Fair
207 Boston Street, Route 1
Topsfield, MA  01983
Phone: 978-887-5000
Fax: 978-887-3016

America’s Oldest Fair!
October 1 - October 11, 2010

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The 191st annual Topsfield Fair will run from Friday, October 1, 2010 through Columbus Day, October 11, 2010. The country's oldest continuously operating county fair features family entertainment, agricultural exhibits including the New England Giant Pumpkin weigh-off on opening day, a premier fall flower show, poultry, fruit and vegetables, rabbits, 4-H, a draft horse show, horse and oxen pulling, pigs, goats, sheep, llamas and alpacas, the Essex County Farm Yard, a Farm/Fair Museum, Home Arts, art show and much, much more including the Fiesta Shows Midway.