The Big E Starts today.

[DawnCt1]

I am not a huge fan of the Big E but its "Military Appreciation Day" (free entry with a military or dependent ID) so after I clean a couple of more rooms, (floor refinishing dust EVERYWHERE), I think I will head off to see the same things that are there every year. Anyone going this year?

 

[mtemm]

we have never been but were talking about it this year. I just cringe thinking of how crowded weekends must be there! are weekdays any better? am wondering if my kids have a day off or a half day off coming up, maybe we'll check it out.

 

[MerMom60_94]

DD went last year with her school and was in the FFA parade. Her school's freshman class will go again tomorrow, but she is a sophomore so she misses out. DH and I have never been but I was thinking of asking if DD wants me to drive her and her boyfriend out there while it's here. It seems like it could be a fun thing to do if the weather cooperates. If she isn't interested, I guess I'll miss out again. Oh well.

 

[DawnCt1]

we have never been but were talking about it this year. I just cringe thinking of how crowded weekends must be there! are weekdays any better? am wondering if my kids have a day off or a half day off coming up, maybe we'll check it out.

Week days are definitely better. I would stay MILES away on weekends.

 

[scrapquitler]

I am thinking of taking DS7 on Monday.

I would NEVER go on a weekend. The traffic and crowds are bad enough during the week. Last year it took me 1 1/2 hours from the exit on I91 in Springfield to the parking lot and that was during the week.

 

[BunsenH]

I am not a huge fan of the Big E but its "Military Appreciation Day" (free entry with a military or dependent ID) so after I clean a couple of more rooms, (floor refinishing dust EVERYWHERE), I think I will head off to see the same things that are there every year. Anyone going this year?

Opening day is a good time to go. The grounds haven't been trampled, the animals (and vendors) aren't stressed out yet, and today should have nice weather.

I assume that you'll take the back roads through Agawam?

 

[We_Love_Disney]

I love the Big E! We have been going every few years for the last 25 years. I don't know what the PPs have seen, but, although the set up is similar, it is never the same twice. I think it is a nice modern yet old fashioned way to see what the agricultural and animal husbandry are doing. Too often they are overlooked, especially in New England where farm are few and small. The mid-way is overpriced, but I have yet to experience one that isn't.

Mid weeks are much better! If the forecast is for rain with clearing then that is the day to go!! Go online and check the schedule for the activities listed for each day. Some really good musical acts come, as well as other events.

I have always taken DD out of school for the day. For me, its educational and entertaining. DD and I both fell in love with swing and jazz music there when DD was maybe 8 and now she plays in a jazz band.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I love the Big E! I made this year's "anticipated food list" right after it ended last year.

For the record, I will be skipping the bacon cheese donutburger

 

[mickaholic4077]

Okay,for us non New-Englanders, what's the big E???

 

[We_Love_Disney]

Okay,for us non New-Englanders, what's the big E???

It is the State Fair for New England and New York. It is AmAzInG! Because it is a combination of states, there are 6 state houses for people to travel through. Each state gets a designated day if you will, but each state is celebrated daily. There is a midway for rides and stuff. There is an area for agricultural, animals, crafts, etc. Also there are the hawkers, similar to the ShamWow guy . It is so much fun.

 

[BunsenH]

Okay,for us non New-Englanders, what's the big E???

www.thebige.com

 

[mickaholic4077]

Wow! It does sound good.

 

[monorailsilver]

It is the State Fair for New England and New York. It is AmAzInG! Because it is a combination of states, there are 6 state houses for people to travel through. Each state gets a designated day if you will, but each state is celebrated daily. There is a midway for rides and stuff. There is an area for agricultural, animals, crafts, etc. Also there are the hawkers, similar to the ShamWow guy . It is so much fun.

I didn't know it was for NY too? I know there are a ton of vendors from NY there but I don't ever recall walking thru a NY building (it has been a few years since I went).

And sadly we are not going. I was trying to convince my dh to go next Friday when my kids have a 1/2 day but he said no. Oh well.

We used to go every year on a Saturday & get up there first thing. Then when we had our first kid, my dh would take a day off during the week & we'd go. Now that my older 2 are in school all day & my youngest is in preschool we don't go during the week & soccer is on Saturdays & I work on Sundays so no Big E for us.

Someone eat a Maine baked potato for me with everything but chives...OK?

 

[We_Love_Disney]

I didn't know it was for NY too? I know there are a ton of vendors from NY there but I don't ever recall walking thru a NY building (it has been a few years since I went).

And sadly we are not going. I was trying to convince my dh to go next Friday when my kids have a 1/2 day but he said no. Oh well.

We used to go every year on a Saturday & get up there first thing. Then when we had our first kid, my dh would take a day off during the week & we'd go. Now that my older 2 are in school all day & my youngest is in preschool we don't go during the week & soccer is on Saturdays & I work on Sundays so no Big E for us.

Someone eat a Maine baked potato for me with everything but chives...OK?

My bad, NY is not one of the states with a state house. I just checked. Guess just a lot of the agricultural and animal exhibits are NY based.

I will grab a Maine baked potato loaded no chives and think about you!

I am so excited to go now. Just need to figure out a good day for DD to skip school.

 

[bitohoney]

Nah I probably won't go. I have a lot of expenses coming up; saving for a car, going to WDW next month, need new tires...and I could go on.
But, I'd love to go just to get some fried Oreos!

 

[Mimi1965]

 

[DawnCt1]

Opening day is a good time to go. The grounds haven't been trampled, the animals (and vendors) aren't stressed out yet, and today should have nice weather.

I assume that you'll take the back roads through Agawam?

Exactly. In fact I parked at Rocky's Hardware on Rte. 75 for $5. and walked over. Admission was free and while there were quite a few people, it was not crowded. I hadn't done it in years but I waited in line for 20 minutes for a baked potato in Maine. It was $5 for the usual butter, sour cream, cheese sauce from a pump, chives and bacos. If I had it to do over again, I would have skipped Maine's baked potato, paid fifty cents more at Billy's potatoes and ended up with real cheddar cheese and no line.
I decided to be a bit more particular about my second food purchase. Of course the hardest thing to resist is the smell of Italian sausage, peppers and onions, but I can get that any time of a third of the price at Costco. I wasn't interested in the deep fried veggies, nor the deep fried twinkies, oreos or the burgers served on donuts. Finally I found what I wanted. One of the best bakeries in Springfield, Ma. La Florentine had plain canolis. As usual, they are always good.
I think that the recession has hit the Big E. This is the first year that I can ever remember, that there were no camper or RV displays. None at all. I didn't notice Kloter Farms either. That was a first.
The entertainment at the Comcast stage was actually good. For those of you who remember the 60's, you will remember Mark Lindsay, lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders. He was there and he sounded EXACTLY like he did back in the 60's. In fact, he said that he is lucky enough to have "visited the sixties twice". Back then and now that he is in his 60's. His face? He looks like he is in his 60s. His body? He is skinny, in shape and very limber. He did a couple of front kicks that would have put the Rockettes to shame.
The animals. I went to Farm o rama, saw the annual display of piglets, the hatching chickens and of course the Clydesdales, all of whom were born in the United Kingdom. Then from there on to Mallory Hall to see the cows. I like cows. I even like the way they smell. The sheep were also nice but they do not smell nearly as sweet as cows. After that I ran some errands and came back home....until next year.

 

[PatsGirl]

Sounds like fun DawnCt Every year I say we're going to go for a daytrip but we never make it, maybe next year. We did go to the Minnesota State Fair a few weeks ago though and it sounds similar. The only thing we have locally is the Barnstable County Fair and having been now every year of my life, it's getting old...as am I

 

[WheresFigment?]

I don't live far from there but we almost never go. Way back when it was pretty amazing but when I went 2 years ago it was pretty depressing. Sounds like that part hasn't changed much.

I think we're going next week but mostly because I'm nostalgic for vermont (where I recently moved from) and want some maple goodies. I used to go for the horse show all the time, but I think the interesting part of that is over as of today.

 

[Pikester]

Haven't been in years! Use to camp with the in-laws who would go down during the day on Friday and then we would show up Friday night.