While each state within the New England region is unique, these states’ intertwined history and culture make them more than just neighbors. This connection is exemplified every year when The Big E begins. The Big E is one of the biggest fairs in the entire country, an event set in Massachusetts that features vendors and displays from each of the six New England states.
The Big E is a historic festival stretching back over 100 years, intended to celebrate and showcase all the New England states. Originally called the Eastern States Exposition, the festival began way back in 1916 and has continued to grow in size yearly. It is now the fifth-biggest annual fair in the nation and the largest agricultural event on the East Coast. It regularly draws well over a million attendees throughout the festival.
This year’s Big E festival will open on September 16th and run through October 16th. It will be an event that is jam-packed with things to do and see and is the perfect way to usher in a New England fall. The Big E offers everything from agricultural displays and rides to concert spectacles and farmers’ markets. It is a jam-packed event, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each day.
The entertainment lineup for this year’s Big E is an exciting one. There are performers in an array of genres that will grace the main stage, known as The Big E Arena. Some of the biggest names in this year’s lineup include Nelly, The Dropkick Murphys, Chase Rice, Bring Me the Horizon, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Big E also has other stages with regional performers that many will still be familiar with.
This only scratches the surface of the entertainment options at The Big E. There will be an exciting circus under a big top in true state fair fashion. There will be incredible displays of magic, trapeze artists, world-record-holding jugglers, clowns, and much more. Also, a large Mardi Gras-style parade with various floats, high school marching bands, animals, and more will pass through the fairgrounds. It is a true spectacle that features procession members from across New England.
Even if you aren’t coming to The Big E for a show, the event offers plenty of other attractions. The Big E hosts a huge market, including a farmers’ market with food, trinkets, and crafts from local vendors. Attendees can find many great products, including cheese, freshly grown fruits and vegetables, candies, Massachusetts wine, and more. The wide variety of high-quality selections throughout the market establishes The Big E as one Massachusetts’ premier shopping events.
It wouldn’t be a state fair if there weren’t agriculture-based displays, and The Big E offers that in spades. It is a national agriculture showcase that attracts farmers and their livestock from across New England. There is a butter sculpture contest, a petting zoo, dog and pony shows, and other agricultural exhibits.
The fair is in West Springfield, Massachusetts. There are several different ticket options attendees can choose from. Advance tickets cost $12 for single-day general admission, and additional passes can be bought that allow access for several days. Concert ticket costs vary by performer. For the duration of the event, children five and under enter for free.
The Big E is one of the biggest state fairs in the country, a massive celebration of New England that starts the fall off in an exciting fashion. After breaking records in 2021 for single-day attendance, this year could be even bigger. With a great lineup of musicians, delicious food options, great entertainment, and a festive vibe, The Big E is a can’t-miss experience.
