Rawhide Rodeo: What to Know About the Topsfield Fair on Thursday, Oct. 10

Thursday, Oct. 10 is the seventh day of the 2013 Topsfield Fair, the oldest fair in the country.

Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. at the Essex Agricultural Society's Fairgrounds at 207 Boston St. (Route 1) in Topsfield. The agricultural buildings close at 10 p.m.

The weather forecast calls for a day on Thursday much similar to Wednesday. It will be partly sunny with a high temperature in the low 60s. The wind will be light from the east.

The Rawhide Rodeo will have its second of two shows on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in the Arena. Earlier in the day, the Flying High Frisbee Dogs will perform at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the arena. The Hallamore Clydesdale 8-Horse Hitch will perform at 1:30 p.m.

The King Arthur Flour Favorite No Yeast Coffee Cake Contest runs all day in Coolidge Hall with the winner announced at 9 p.m.

In the grandstand at 7 p.m., Britt Nicole will perform. The performance is included in the price of admission. The performance will also be simulcast to the Trianon stage for fans that can not fit in to the grandstand.

At 5 p.m. there is an on-grounds parade where mardi gras beads, T-shirts and beach balls are distributed as the parade makes its way around the parade grounds.

On Arena Road (the road between the pig barn and arena), a High Dive Show will perform at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Lon Cerel will put on a show for kids with magic and balloons in the picnic area at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

2013 American Honey Queen Caroline Adams will be in the beekeeping building all day.

Performers on the Trianon Stage will include Tony Fonseca All Hands Drumming at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Bubble Show at 2 p.m., Legacy from 4-6 p.m. and Emma B from the end of the Britt Nicole concert until closing time.

Admission is weekday pricing - $11 for adults on Thursday. Children under eight are free with a paying adult. Parking is $10 per car.