Vendor Charged With Rape During Final Hour of Fair

A sausage vendor is being held in jail after allegedly raping a woman at the Topsfield Fair on Monday evening.

Less than an hour before this year’s Topsfield Fair came to an end, a sausage vendor from New Hampshire allegedly raped a woman, according to the Daily News of Newburyport. It allegedly happened at 10:30 p.m. on Columbus Day in a dark alley near the bathrooms next to the Ferris Wheel. Paul Richard Carson, 44, of 3 McDuffee St. in Rochester was held on $25,000 cash bail after his arraignment Tuesday in Ipswich District Court in Newburyport. He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 8, the Daily News reported. The 11-day fair ended on Monday – Columbus Day – and closed at 11 p.m. that night.

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Wenham Girls go Backstage to Meet 'Hot Chelle Rae'

Two Wenham sister went backstage and got to meet one of the stars that performed this past weekend at the Topsfield Fair.

Two Wenham sisters were among just a handful of fans that were able to go backstage with Hot Chelle Rae on Saturday evening before the band's performance at the Topsfield Fair. Betti Bucco and Sami Bucco got to meet the band - which sings hits such as "Tonight, Tonight" and gained prominence after a performance on Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve this year - before the band's show in the arena at the fair. The 11-day Topsfield Fair wrapped up on Monday. Were you there? Did you snap some photos? Please feel free to share them in our Viewfinder image gallery.

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Patch Facts

Five Things to Know on Oct. 8: Fire Safety With Pizza and Ice Cream

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Monday, Oct. 8. Here are five things you need to know in Hamilton and Wenham: 1. Cooler: It is shaping up to be sunny, but cool, on Monday. The forecast calls for clear skies with temperatures topping out in the 50s. 2. Music Man: Typically, Music Man Brian Doser delivers his performances for kids at the Community House on Mondays, but he is off on Monday for Columbus Day. He returns at 10 a.m. on Thursday and then again next Monday. 3. Final Day: The final day of the Topsfield Fair is on Monday. It is open the regular hours of 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. 4. Fire Prevention: Fire Prevention Week starts on Monday, marking the week each fall with increased efforts by public safety crews to educate children and those of all ages about the …

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Robert Gates

9:15 am on Monday, October 8, 2012

Due to the ban on outdoor organized activity after 5 p.m. in Wenham, the Fire Department open house has been postponed, according to Fire Chief Bob Blanchard. The new date will be Saturday, Oct. 20 from 11:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m.   more ›

Today at the Topsfield Fair

What You Need to Know About the Topsfield Fair: Sunday, Oct. 7

Here's a look at some of the special things you will find at the Topsfield Fair on Sunday, Oct. 7. Check for this daily feature here on Hamilton-Wenham Patch through the fair's closing day on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 8.

Sunday, Oct. 7 is the next to last day of the 2012 Topsfield Fair, the oldest fair in the country. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. The agricultural buildings close at 10 p.m. In the grandstand, the Flying Wallendas return for their second of three days of high-wire performances. They will perform for free at 2 and 7 p.m. The Mrs. Essex County Pageant takes place at 2 p.m. in Coolidge Hall. The First Congregational Church of Boxford will hold a service at 10 a.m. at the Trianon Stage. In the Essex County Farrmyard, the State Police K-9 team will be on display at noon and 2 p.m. and Farm Animal Fun will be there at 10 a.m. and 1, 4 and 5 p.m. Many other free shows are happening throughout the day across the fairgrounds. The …

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ADD YOUR OWN: Photos From the Topsfield Fair 2012

Fairgoers poured in to the Topsfield Fair as the sun came out on Friday. The fair runs through Monday, Oct. 8 (Columbus Day). Share your photos of the fun.

Columbus Day weekend marks the end of the Topsfield Fair in 2012. Share you photos with us from this year's fair -- maybe it's inside an animal barn, a BMX bike show or pig race or you're enjoying some fried dough. Maybe you snapped some shots of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Musical Ride or the dogs from Dock Dogs jumping into the water. To add your photos from this year's Topsfield Fair, simply click on the big white and green button that says "Upload photos and videos."

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Today at the Topsfield Fair

What You Need to Know About the Topsfield Fair: Friday, Oct. 5

Here's a look at some of the special things you will find at the Topsfield Fair on Friday, Oct. 5. Check for this daily feature here on Hamilton-Wenham Patch through the fair's closing day on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 8.

Friday, Oct. 5 is the eighth day of the 2012 Topsfield Fair, the oldest fair in the country. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. The agricultural buildings close at 10 p.m. In the grandstand, county music signer John Michael Montgomery will perform for free at 7 p.m. The concert will also be simulcast at the Trianon Stage. There will be a tractor pull in the arena stating at 6 p.m. High Flying Frisbee Dogs performs in the arena at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. The winner of the Topsfield Fair Apple Pie Contest will be announced at 9 p.m. in Coolidge Hall. While Beulah the Elephant's birthday party happened on Wednesday, at 10:30 a.m. in the grandstand you can still meet Beulah. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police also continue their …

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Today at the Topsfield Fair

What You Need to Know About the Topsfield Fair: Wednesday, Oct. 3

Here's a look at some of the special things you will find at the Topsfield Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 3. Check for this daily feature here on Hamilton-Wenham Patch through the fair's closing day on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 8.

Wednesday, Oct. 3 is the sixth day of the 2012 Topsfield Fair, the oldest fair in the country. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. The agricultural buildings close at 10 p.m. It is the final day with a midway ride special on, where you get unlimited rides for $20 on all rides except the bumper cars from 5-11 p.m. And singing legend Frankie Avalon takes the stage in the grandstand at 7 p.m. Avalon, 72, has starred in dozens of TV shows and movies dating back to the 1950s and had 31 hit songs on the Billboard charts. If it rains, Avalon's performance will be moved inside to Coolidge Hall. Another of the midweek evening parades will make its way through the fairgrounds on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Starting the day at 10:30 a.m. in the …

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Today at the Topsfield Fair

What You Need to Know About the Topsfield Fair: Tuesday, Oct. 2

Here's a look at some of the special things you will find at the Topsfield Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 2. Check for this daily feature here on Hamilton-Wenham Patch through the fair's closing day on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 8.

Tuesday, Oct. 2 is the fifth day of the 2012 Topsfield Fair, the oldest fair in the country. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. The  agricultural buildings close at 10 p.m. Monday is Military Day. Admission is free for all active military personnel, along with their immediate family members. There's also a midway ride special on Tuesday, where you get unlimited rides for $20 on all rides except the bumper cars from 5-11 p.m. The first of several midweek evening parades through the fairgrounds happens on Tuesday at 5 p.m. The winner of the Pillsbury Pie Crust Pie Baking Championship contest will be announced at 9 p.m. in Coolidge Hall. The U.S. Marine Corps Band continues with its 2012 performances at the Topsfield Fair with …

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