Why Everyone in New England Should Attend "The Big E"

The Big E, also known as the Eastern States Exposition, is an event that everyone living in New England should attend. Once a year for three weeks the New England states come together for their biggest fair, held in West Springfield, Massachusetts. With lots of food, shopping, exhibits and entertainment, there is something there for every family member to enjoy.

As soon as you walk into the fair, you notice the smell of food. Every fair has cotton candy, funnel cake and candy apples. The Big E however, has all of New England's best dishes in one place. Many of these foods you won't find anywhere else.

Maine and Vermont bring us some New England favorites. Maine, for example, serves their famous potatoes. You can order them with any potato topping you could possibly think of. The Maine potato is so popular some people will stand in line for up to an hour to get one! Maine also brings their famous New England clam chowder. Vermont has their maple syrup and maple sugar at the fair. These are a must-try for any New England native.

Once you've tried the food, there is plenty of shopping to be done. Vendors from all over New England bring their most unique arts, crafts, gifts, home care products, toys, paintings, animals, farm equipment, collectables and more. You can find everything from paintings to jewelry, to home building kits and gardening equipment. There is also shopping for your pets. New leashes and personalized beds for your cat or dog are exhibited and made to order. Horse shows take place in the main arena with horse product vendors set up in the display buildings. While you're there you can also check out some of the newest cars for sale next year.

Each state also shows off its agricultural talent at the fair. There are several displays including animals and tractors. Among the animals there are cows, horses, pigs, sheep, llamas, chickens and dogs. Throughout the three weeks of the fair, different animals compete in classes. Dogs, for instance, compete in obedience, and horses compete in jumping. Every year there is also a hatchery display. Several dozen un-hatched chicks are placed in a hatching house for you to see as they break open their eggs.

If the food, shopping and agriculture aren't enough, there is still plenty of entertainment at the Big E. A carnival is set up with rides, games and funhouses for all ages. You can also visit the petting zoo. The petting zoo has elephant and camel rides for the children.

On the main stage, different bands and entertainers perform throughout the three weeks. A parade also takes place daily at the Big E. The parade has everything, including floats, marching bands, animals and antique cars. There is also a 1900's working village that you can tour. You can take a class in the one-room schoolhouse or observe the blacksmith making horseshoes. Other entertainment includes dressing up from the Victorian age and having fun family photos made. These are a must for any family album!

For the past several years, The Big E has sponsored "Weddings on the Midway" offering a free wedding to a special couple from the New England area.

As you can see, there is something for every member of our family at the Big E. This is one fair that everyone in New England should go and be a part of!

http://www.thebige.com/fair/index.html The Website for Everything Related to The Big E