‘Last blast of the summer’ coming to Massachusetts

The Big E is a tradition for many New England families.

WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Eastern States Exposition, better known as “The Big E,” takes place from Sept. 14-30 at the Exposition grounds in West Springfield, Mass. The fair is quite unusual because the fair represents six states – Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire – rather than just one state.

Founded in 1917, the fair’s original purpose was to promote the farming and agricultural industries by competitions, displays and interaction with the public. Today, the same rules are followed, but new attractions have been added.

The Big E is the nation’s sixth-largest agricultural fair (in traffic count) and is the fair that is dear to all of us in New England. Since 1982, I have been attending with my children, friends and family from afar. The two weeks that The Big E takes place are days that all who have attended in the past look forward to.

The Big E is considered the “Last Blast of the Summer.” There is a lot for all those who attend: horse shows, petting zoos, livestock displays, baby chickens hatching in front of your eyes and so much more.

The “Avenue of the States” features replicas of each of the state capitols with vendors inside representing each state’s unique culture and special food products. The baked potatoes from Maine are my favorite and a family tradition for thousands of others.

There is also an area named “Storrowton,” where fair goers can experience New England of the 1800’s. There are daily Mardi Gras parades (are we in New Orleans?) and free entertainment each day.

The concert lineup at the Comcast Stage features country music star, Alan Jackson, on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Other entertainers include Hot Chelle Ray (Sept. 21), Rodney Atkins (Sept. 23); Billy Currington (Sept. 28) and Jeff Dunham (Sept. 29). All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are necessary to attend.

The free “Big E Doo Wop Show” takes place on Saturday, Sept. 22. The show features Jay Black, Kenny Vance and the Planotones and Jay Siegal and the Tokens.

To buy tickets and for further information on this 17-day fair, visit BigE.com

Posted by Phillip Kampe on September 13, 2012. Filed under News,State News,Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry