The Big E, the largest fair in the Northeast, is home to The Big E Cream Puff & Craz-E Burger. It's a New England extravaganza with top name entertainment. The Big E Super Circus, The Avenue of States, Storrowton Village Museum, animals, competitive exhibits, rides, shopping, crafts, a daily parade and a Mardi Gras parade, and foods from around the world. It's the last blast of summer -- celebrate THE BIG E in West Springfield, Massachusetts
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The true Fair experience just isn’t
complete without a visit to The Big E’s Midway !
The smell of cotton candy fills the air as you stroll among the glowing neon lights, scream on mind-bending rides and try your hand at winning enormous stuffed animals. All this gives you an apatite for traditional midway foods like freshly battered corn dogs, golden fried dough with powdered sugar, and tindy donuts….. Yum !
The finest livestock shows in the East, the biggest names in
entertainment and unique foods, make The Big E one of the most sought after
destinations for visitors from throughout the region. It all started in 1916 the events founder,
Joshua L. Brooks, convinced the National Dairy Show to hold its event in West
Springfield. Since then, the Exposition
has remained true to its roots hosting premium agricultural shows and
educational events including regional and national 4-H and FFA
participation. The 17 day Fair is filled
with new and exciting entertainment and exhibits for all to enjoy.
The daily parade and The
Mardi Gras Parade continue to delight fair goers.
The Big E Mardi Gras Parade,
sponsored by Mohegan Sun. This classic American event features bands, marching
units, various animals, and the famous Hallamore Clydesdales.
A huge part of The Big E is
showcasing New England’s agriculture. There is competitions for livestock
and
produce as well as horse and oxen pulling. All sorts of animals from goats,
dairy and beef cattle to alpacas and rabbits are featured at the fair.
The Eastern States Exposition HORSE
SHOW !
The Eastern States Exposition Horse Show is full of thrills
for everyone involved, whether you’re sitting high in the saddle or watching
the excitement from the grandstands. Horses and riders train endlessly for the chance to be
recognized in this world-class contest of equestrian excellence. This action-packed competition gives
fair goers a chance to see some of the best riders in New England as they vie
for top honors in the coliseum
It’s a sight to behold as these 2,000 pound, 7 foot tall
beauties fill the Coliseum with their tremendous strength and elegance. Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons, and Belgians
perform in cart classes, teams, unicorns, obstacles and more; complete with the $30,000 Big E Draft Horse Showdown!
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The Massachusetts Building. Though America was at war in 1918 and the Eastern States Exposition temporarily halted, Joshua L. Brooks used this powers of persuasion to convince the Massachusetts Legislature and a highly skeptical governor to spend $50,000 to erect the Massachusetts Building. Architect James H. Ritchie was hired to design an almost perfect replica of the old Massachusetts Statehouse. The building was dedicated in 1919 by then Gov. Calvin Coolidge and marked the official launching of the Avenue of States. Today the building features performing groups from throughout the state. You'll also find a variety of home-grown tastes, from scrumptious cranberries to selections from the sea, as well as Massachusetts-crafted products and travel information, in the Massachusetts Building.
You can visit all six New England States in less than one hour. Visit The Big E, the only fair in the country with multiple states participation! Take a stroll along the Avenue of States and see impressive replicas of each New England state's original statehouse sitting on land actually owened by that state. Take a step inside and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and tastes and of quintessential New England.
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See you next year !
