The Big E, the largest fair in the Northeast, and one of the 10 largest state fairs in the country, opened this morning in western Massachusetts. The fair is four years shy of marking a century in existence. It packs the crowds in every year by mixing a lot of the old with a little bit of the new.
For the next 17 days, the 175- acre grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield will feature barnyard animals, 4-H exhibits, horse show competitions, antique cars, historic artifacts and memorabilia, crafts, daily parades, a circus, a midway with rides and games.
People flock to the Big E to take in all of it, or a little bit of it, each year.
Gene Cassidy, President and CEO of the Big E, said the fair succeeds by staying true to its agricultural roots while keeping current with popular culture. That is evident in the headlining musical acts booked for this year. Cassidy personally chose the opening show-DJ Pauly D of Jersey Shore fame.
A show by country music superstar Hunter Hayes has already sold out, but other concerts including the Beach Boys and Tommy James and the Shondells are free with a paid admission to the Big E.
This is Cassidy’s second year in charge of the Big E, although he has worked for the fair for 20 years, most of that time as CFO.
A new wine and cheese barn opened this year. It is a sign of the growth in the production of both products at farms throughout the Northeast.
Also new this year is an exhibit of memorabilia by Hard Rock International. The collection includes John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics to the Beatle’s song “ Help”, a custom Gibson guitar that belonged to Jimi Hendrix, and several outfits worn on stage by stars including Whitney Houston. Hard Rock and the Big E were partners in a casino development agreement that was rejected by West Springfield voters earlier this week.
Food is a big draw at the Big E. It is fair food, which typically means fried or grilled.
Popular foods include the Big E Cream Puff, the Big E Éclair and the Craz-E-Burger-- the bacon cheeseburger on a grilled glazed donut--that grabbed national attention when it was introduced in 2009. Joining this year’s menu is the breakfast version:a bacon and egg sandwich between halves of a grilled glazed donut.
A new deep-fried offering this year is strawberry shortcake. And there is the Chocolate Baconana, a frozen banana on a stick, dipped in chocolate and rolled in crumbled bacon.
Big E Senior Vice-President Sue Lavoie is in charge of coming up with new fair food each year.
Lavoie says the fair food has to be portable since a lot of people walk around while they eat. A idea a few years ago to put a hotdog in a jelly donut bombed, because the hotdog fell out.
There is “healthier” food available such as salads, grilled chicken, fresh fruit and yogurt.
The Big E runs through Sunday, September 29.
