<p>The Topsfield Fair is among the five largest venues in the state of Massachusetts in terms of crowd size. Although State Police last year gave the Fair high marks in an evaluation of its security, this year, due to the Boston Marathon bombings, enhanced security measures are being taken at public events throughout Greater Boston including the Essex County Agricultural Association's Topsfield Fair.</p><p>James O'Brien, general manager of the Topsfield Fair, states that Fair management has been closely working with both the Police and Fire departments and training 180 security personnel to step up security measures that have already been in place since 9-11.</p><p>"Yes, there will be additional police walking around," says O'Brien, "but our goal is not to scare anyone, but rather to make them feel safe and comfortable so they can have a good time."</p><p>Fair-goers are encouraged to bring the things they've always brought including picnic lunches, camera bags, coolers, etc., but now tables will be set up at the ticket gates for security checks of those items. "It's not our goal to pry," says O'Brien, "We'll make every effort to be extremely sensitive to put folks at ease and try to make the gate-searches as seamless as possible so lines entering the Fair don't back up."</p><p><a href="http://www.wickedlocal.com/boxford/newsnow/x1837092091/Beefed-up-security-set-for-Topsfield-Fair-Oct-4-14">Keep reading...</a></p>