The Big E Starts today.

[tiggger1]

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.

what Clydesdales? Usually they have the Hallamore Clydesdale but they are from Lakeview Ma, only about 3 minutes from me? I thought most of them were born here?

ok ignore that.. I just read that most of them are from Scotland. I am thinking of the babies

 

[*Meagan*]

Aghhh I miss the big E. I moved across the country and it was just something fun to do and you know it was the arrival of fall. And NOTHING can beat their amazing freshly made kettle corn! YUMMMMM-O

 

[DisneyWhirled]

We love The Big E!! Unfortunately, we have missed it the last two years due to soccer and weather, but hoping to dt there this year!! It takes us about 3 hours to get there, so when we do one day, it is a long one!!

 

[C.Ann]

I have always wanted to go, but I have heard that it is so huge you really can't see everything in one day.. Is that true?

Hope everyone who is going has a great time!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

I grew up in Spfld., Ma. so the Big E is special to me!

It always brings back great memories for me...and I agree ,it doesn't seem to change much year to year. I guess that is what I like about it !
I tend to make the trip from Central Ma. about every year or two , but we just got back from WDW less than a month ago and don't feel up to spending the money this year. Admission for 2 is $30.00 on the weekends. I usually spend at least $100 for the day for 2 of us...most of that is on FOOD ,as I eat my way around the Big E !

By the way LaFlorentine Bakery is where I had my wedding cake made 28 yrs. ago and I make sure I stop by at The Big E to get an Italian Pastry each time we go !!!

 

[xJenna]

Is it awful that I have lived in MA all my life and had never heard of the Big E until this year? Haha.

 

[dakcp2001]

Ive been to both the big E and the Topsfield Fair and I prefer Topsfield. Of course I grew up going to that one. I did get to see Def Leopard at the Big E a few years back, that was a highlight. lol.

 

[EllenFrasier]

We went to the NYS fair in Syracuse this year and I was somewhat disappointed. Everything I was looking for on the map, Dh would say "that's at the Big E".....we had fun, but the Big E is still nicer. Except that darned circus. I have never been able to get in. We stand in line and everything and never make the cutoff into the tent. Last time we went, we were like next in line and they came out and said the tent was full! Whaaa, not again. Curses.
So has anyone seen the circus at the Big E? Maybe it's not even worth trying.

 

[BunsenH]

I have always wanted to go, but I have heard that it is so huge you really can't see everything in one day.. Is that true?

Hope everyone who is going has a great time!

If you've never been, and you're a browser, seeing everything would make for a long day. There are hundreds of vendors and dozens of exhibits. Everything from all of the "As Seen on TV" products to quality, local crafts.

I haven't gone for a couple years as I realized that I was just paying a cover charge to eat and drink stuff that I should avoid or find elsewhere. Maybe next year.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

I haven't gone for a couple years as I realized that I was just paying a cover charge to eat and drink stuff that I should avoid or find elsewhere. Maybe next year.[/QUOTE]

Exactly...how true !!!!
But I still love going anyways....

 

[frostywolf]

I go every year. I love it! I'll be there this upcoming Friday and Saturday, as I want to watch the draft horse competition. I normally go during the week to avoid crowds, but I couldn't get more than Friday off from work this year.

I love wandering through the state buildings, and the Storrowtown craft area the most. I've been going yearly for about 15 years, and I've yet to set foot on the midway. Can't wait!

 

[WheresFigment?]

For what it's worth, the bakery is actually called La Fiorentina, and they have gone seriously downhill in the past few years. I recently saw their pastries at Big Y as well so I think they have sold out.

I used to love their cookies and my dad has always loved their rum cake, but this year for his birthday, they made us the completely wrong cake and just shrugged when we pointed it out "oh, well, they all look the same in the case." We won't be going back.

It's too bad because they really used to be great. But I haven't had anything really good from them in a few years now.

 

[cm8]

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.

something that I would love to attend one day

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

For what it's worth, the bakery is actually called La Fiorentina, and they have gone seriously downhill in the past few years. I recently saw their pastries at Big Y as well so I think they have sold out.

I used to love their cookies and my dad has always loved their rum cake, but this year for his birthday, they made us the completely wrong cake and just shrugged when we pointed it out "oh, well, they all look the same in the case." We won't be going back.

It's too bad because they really used to be great. But I haven't had anything really good from them in a few years now.

That's too bad...it's hard to make it in this economy with all the big chain stores competition.

 

[Nancyg56]

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.

Weekends are generally very crowded. The past few years we have been going in the afternoon for the $5 after 5 deal. You get entry for $5 after 5 PM. The beginning of the week is pretty quiet so you can get through all of the State buildings without getting trampled

I haven't gone for a couple years as I realized that I was just paying a cover charge to eat and drink stuff that I should avoid or find elsewhere. Maybe next year.

Kind of like cable TV. We are paying to watch a lot of TV shows that we used to see for free.

For what it's worth, the bakery is actually called La Fiorentina, and they have gone seriously downhill in the past few years. I recently saw their pastries at Big Y as well so I think they have sold out.
.

That is happening to quite a few bakeries. One day the pastery is really good, but hten it seems to be held too long, baked too soon or is just plain bad. I think the economy is killing them

I think we are going to skip the Big E this year. We also have a lot of expenses coming up in he next few weeks so this is one event we can miss and yet know it will be the same next year. Maybe we'll go to the Riverton Fair instead. it is one of our favorites.

 

[kirbydog48]

Was there a butter sculpture?

 

[DawnCt1]

Was there a butter sculpture?

Yup, in progress. They are sticking the butter on the wire frame as we speak.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

My favorite food to get at The Big E is the deep fried clam cakes/fritters (with maple syrup) from the Rhode Island Bldg....so yummy !!!

 

[shimmyshimmy83]

I went on Friday for the first time in probably five or so years. I always loved going as a kid/teenager, bu I felt something was missing from this years experience, but couldn't quite put my finger on what it was.
Of course we ate our way through the state buildings, maple sugar, Maine potato (there was no line, can't see the greatness though...Billy's are much better!) of course clam fritters...I think ours were missing the clam though...
It wasn't to crowded, we got there around 3 and by 6ish you could tell that it had become more crowded. And we stayed away from the Midway as it seemed to be the "hang out" for the teens.
It was my favorite fair growing up, out of all the ones local us. Now I just think that was the case because it was on pavement, rather then grass, which always mean't my feet didn't have to get dirty!!
It is definitely something to experience though!

 

[LBIJim]

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.

AFAIK, New York has its own State Fair in Syracuse.

I think "Big E" stands for Eastern States Exposition (or Exhibition). I went about 7 years ago. Had a great time.

I enjoy all State Fairs. Anyone been to the North or South Carolina State Fairs? I'm planning to go to one or both next month on the drive to Florida.

Jim