The Topsfield Fair is coming back to Essex County for its 199th year. Nearly 450,000 people are expected to pass through the annual fall rite, which starts Friday and runs through Oct. 9.

Fair spokesperson David Thomson said tradition is what sets it apart.

“People grow up going to the fair and they take their kids or grandkids,’’ Thomson said. “I think it’s a nice kind of family activity. There’s something for everyone.’’

Here are five things you need to know about the Topsfield Fair:

■ The fair began in 1818 as a cattle show for growers and cattle breeders from around Essex County. By government decree, it was suspended for three years during the Civil War and for three years during World War II.

■ It is home to the world’s first ever 1-ton pumpkin. The specimen weighed in at the 2012 New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off. The ginormous squash, grown by Rhode Islander Ron Wallace, topped the scales at 2,009 pounds. This year, the pumpkin weigh-off will take place in the arena Friday from 1 to 4 p.m.

■ The fair is also known for its food — especially of the fried variety. It’s not for the faint of heart: There have been fried slices of pumpkin pie along with fried ice cream, fried Oreos, and even fried Milky Way bars. A couple of years ago, there was fried bubble gum, but that didn’t seem to be too popular among the fair-goers. Of course, it’s not uncommon to see people walking around with the classic fair staple — a giant turkey leg.

■ There’s always a variety of entertainment at the fair. Cassadee Pope, the season three winner of “The Voice,’’ will be performing Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. The disco era cult faves the Village People will also be returning; they’ll be performing Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Grandstand.

■ For many fair-goers, animals are the real stars. Dock Dogs, a group of canines that compete in to see which can jump the farthest and highest, will be at the Grandstand on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Swifty Swine Racing and Swimming Pigs — “They run as fast as their little legs can take ’em,’’ organizers say — will compete all week at Grange Road for their own grand prize, an Oreo cookie.

For more information, visit topsfieldfair.org.

Sophia Eppolito can be reached at sophia.eppolito@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @SophiaEppolito.