Pumpkin grower Norman Gansert, 67, of Charleston, Rhode Island prepares to unload his giant pumpkins for the New England Pumpkin Growers Association’s Giant Pumpkin Competition at the 199th Topsfield Fair in Topsfield, Massachusetts on September 29, 2017.
The Topsfield Fair is the oldest in the United States and was founded in 1818. / AFP PHOTO / Joseph PREZIOSO (Photo credit should read JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)
Another major Massachusetts agricultural fair will require guests to wear face coverings indoors.
Organizers of the more than 200-year-old Topsfield Fair said Wednesday that the mandate is in line with a Topsfield Board of Health directive issued Monday.
“Our goal is to always provide a safe and enjoyable atmosphere at the Topsfield Fair,” General Manager James O’Brien said in a statement. “We will inform people about this mandate on our website, as well as signs posted outside and inside the fairgrounds.”
The fair is also encouraging fairgoers to make use of hundreds of hand-washing and hand-sanitizing stations throughout the fairgrounds and is asking anyone feeling unwell to stay home.
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The fair, first held in 1818, runs from Oct. 1-11 this year. It was canceled last year because of the pandemic but in a typical year draws up to 500,000 visitors.
The Big E announced last week that it would require masks indoors in line with town of West Springfield rules.
