The Big E

[JessicaR]

http://www.thebige.com/
Eastern States Exposition

2008 Big E Dates: September 12-28

I have never been and would love some info from those that have attended before.
My husband has decided that we HAVE to go to this. When I asked him why he said cause he was told its amazing! OK, so could I get more specifics please?

I am mostly concerned with where to stay. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks. I am also curious if it really is amazing and worthwhile.

 

[kelleigh1]

I've never been myself, but I thought I'd bump your post back up as I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has been. I hear about it every year, and never really thought about going, but who knows.

 

[JessicaR]

Thanks for the bump! Maybe I'll retitle it the "Big O" Should get a few more looks...

 

[KadysMom]

I have gone every year since I was born. It is a must do if you live around here. Basically it is a giant carnival. Rides, THE BEST FOOD EVER, and there are the New England States. You walk through buildings of the states and sample food and crafts from each state. There are shops and vendors like you cant even imagine. Please come from all over in their RV's to come.

I have one issue this year. I am on weight watchers, and I dont know if i am strong enough to avoid the food.....

 

[CraftyMouse]

The Big E is a fantastic fair. It's like a super-sized version of regular state fairs. There is a giant Midway, plenty of food stands, lots of craft/merchandise vendors, great entertainment, all kinds of animal exhibitions/contests, and my favorite...the State Buildings. Each New England state has its own building. Inside you'll find items (food/craft/merchandise) from that state. They are all right next to each other so we start at one end and go through them one by one.

I've been going to the Big E since I was a student at UMASS/Amherst. It was a yearly tradition for us to go back then and we've kept it up ever since. There are two local fairs in our area but we skip them in favor of the Big E. It's like the Disney World of fairs!

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[KadysMom]

Oh and i forgot about the parades, concerts and oh i cant wait.....

 

[mickeyboat]

I have been many times, but I have never spent the night. I have friends who bring their campers and stay right at the fair, too.

The fair is large and a lot of fun. (I don't know that I would travel more than a few hours to get there, though)

There are many arts and crafts, exhibitions, As Seen of TV live infomercials, places to get a beer, farm and livestock exhibits and hot tub and camper salesmen. I have gotten three toe rings from a lady who is there every year. It's a guilty pleasure of mine.

There is a large midway where there are rides for small kids and big kids alike (we buy the bracelets), places to get a beer, and carnival games. There is even a martini bar!

The neatest thing is the Avenue of States. Each New England state has a permanent building there where they exhibit the tastes and sights of their state. I never miss the chance to get a baked potato in the Maine building (hint - the line starts outside on the left side of the building). Did I mention places to get beer?

There are two (I think) parades daily where you can see the Clydesdales, high school bands from all over New England, etc.

Some great performers are there, as well. Check out the website - some of the good ones are free.

We always go during the week because the weekend crowds are awful. The kids usually have a day off in September when the fair is going on. I am not sure we are going this year, though, since we are going to the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction, VT in late August.

Hope you have a great time!

Denae

ETA - we usually park right on site, but there are shuttles from locations around town. Springfield, MA is also the home of the Basketball Hall of Fame if you are interested.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

We've been a few times over the years. It's fun. I personally wouldn't call it amazing. It's a country fair, basically. They show farm animals, have 4-H displays, carnival type rides, demonstrations, some special performances by country stars (altho we've never caught any)...that kind of thing. One year DH and I took a helicopter flight (took about 2 minutes). What I like the best tho is the 6 New England states' pavilions, each one with tourist information, and food and other items representing that state, like maple cotton candy in Vermont (yum), or stuffed potatoes (Maine?). It's been about 7 years since we've been there, so I'm trying to remember.

These threads have come up before, and I know that people have provided better information than me, so maybe if you keep it bumped...

Their website is usually pretty detailed too.

 

[JESW]

The last time I went was years ago when we were living in Worcester (Whista) and I rode the scrambler for the last time...

I found this place on-line but have never been there. Looks like a good location right across the street and you wouldn't have to worry about driving or parking.

https://www.reservationpage.com/C00183/H00212/

I may keep it in mind as my bd is the end of September and that could be a fun weekend..

Jill

 

[mickeyboat]

The last time I went was years ago when we were living in Worcester (Whista) and I rode the scrambler for the last time...

I found this place on-line but have never been there. Looks like a good location right across the street and you wouldn't have to worry about driving or parking.

https://www.reservationpage.com/C00183/H00212/

I may keep it in mind as my bd is the end of September and that could be a fun weekend..

Jill

Don't forget this is a huge fair and a big deal for the area. Nice hotels walking distance to the fair may be booked up!

 

[tiggger1]

we have been there a bunch of times. Once we bought our camper and stayed over, which was nice to come back to the camper to relax. the only thing that stunk is that we had no power, we had to use a generator. we also got blocked in and couldnt get the camper out until late one in..that isnt counting how the parking attendent tried to have a car park so close to our door that we couldnt open it. ( we made them move) next time we are going to try to park along the trees so we don't get blocked but then we are adding an additional 1/4 mile on the walk back to the camper.

 

[kerrynic78]

I am booking my yearly trip to CT around the Big E, just so I can go and have some Vermont Apple crisp, Maine Baked potatoes, and appleflappen! I love the Big E, it is a great time!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

THE BEST FOOD EVER

Maine Baked potatoes, and appleflappen

O.M.G.

Appenflappens!!! SOOOO GOOOOD!!!

I haven't been in so long.

And for those of you who think we've lost our flappen' minds, Appenflappens are like the apple version of onion rings. Thins rings of apple dipped in beer batter and deep fried.

Dear. Lord.

Weight Watchers-unfriendly MADNESS, I tell you!

The baked potatos ROCK. I once waited in an hour line for one. The last time I went you could also get HUGE dill pickles for $1. The other thing I used to love (they used to have it, don't know if they still do it) is the fresh milkshakes - they have a milking demonstration (big milking machine, bunch of moo cows) and the milk is then put through the pasteurization process and they served, pretty much straight from the cow, milkshakes. It was pretty neat for a city gal like me.

OTHER than food...LOL...as everyone else mentioned there are crafts, the NE State buildings, a midway, animal exhibits, concerts, etc.

In terms of a place to stay...For the life of me I can't think of how far it is driving from downtown Springfield, MA, though I'm pretty sure it's in the general area, there is a Sheraton in Springfield. I used to work for Starwood and have been to that Sheraton a few times and it was always pretty nice. It's also close to the Six Flags in NE, if you wanted to make a side trip there.

Hope that was helpful!

 

[DawnCt1]

I used to take the kids when they were little to see the animals. We live about 20 minutes from the fair grounds. The rules were, "no rides". Now I go no more than once every five years. In fact, last year I went for the first time in 5 years and I could have stayed away another five years. Its loud, very commercial and the same thing, year after year after year. The exhibits are in the same place. The state exhibits are exactly the same and the food is the same, expensive food that has too many calories, too much fat and is not that good. The Storrowtown Tavern is on the fair grounds and we actually eat there about once a month. Unfortunately, once the Big E comes, we will not be able to eat there without dodging the crowds and paying astronomical parking fees. Right now, its free to park. How can you beat a prime rib dinner, complete with salad and two sides for $10.95 out on the patio with live music? Wine tasting for $10 per person? Nope, I am dreading the Big E again this year.

 

[BunsenH]

http://www.thebige.com/
Eastern States Exposition

2008 Big E Dates: September 12-28

I have never been and would love some info from those that have attended before.
My husband has decided that we HAVE to go to this. When I asked him why he said cause he was told its amazing! OK, so could I get more specifics please?

I am mostly concerned with where to stay. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks. I am also curious if it really is amazing and worthwhile.

#1 tip: Go on a weekday. On the weekend, attendance can be 120000-150000 and you will see very little.

 

[PatsMom]

I'm glad to see some good reviews. My sister lives up the road from the Big E in East Windsor CT. My mother, my sister and I have tried to do an annual trip together and this year DS's budget just isn't going to allow much of a trip. So one of the things we talked about was going to CT and spending a few days. The Big E is sounding like a good day trip from her house.

 

[CraftyMouse]

O.M.G.

Appenflappens!!! SOOOO GOOOOD!!!

I haven't been in so long.

And for those of you who think we've lost our flappen' minds, Appenflappens are like the apple version of onion rings. Thins rings of apple dipped in beer batter and deep fried.

Dear. Lord.

Weight Watchers-unfriendly MADNESS, I tell you!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the Appleflappen card has not been at the Big E for a few years now. My kids were all excited to say "I only came for the Appleflappen." but there was none to be had. Sorry. If it is any consulation, I feel your pain.

 

[Youarehere]

http://www.thebige.com/
Eastern States Exposition

2008 Big E Dates: September 12-28

I have never been and would love some info from those that have attended before.
My husband has decided that we HAVE to go to this. When I asked him why he said cause he was told its amazing! OK, so could I get more specifics please?

I am mostly concerned with where to stay. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks. I am also curious if it really is amazing and worthwhile.

You can stay anywhere on Riverdale St (AKA Riverdale Rd or Rt 5) in West Springfield and you will be 5- 10 minutes from the fair.

 

[DawnCt1]

We live about 20 minutes from the Big E and go about every five years. We could go every ten years, because nothing changes. They have started charging extra for some of the shows and I am not looking forward to it this year. We like to eat at the Storrow Town Tavern on the patio. Extra miles on my credit card, but we won't be going during the Big E. When the kids were little we went to see the animals and the huge pumpkins, avoided the carnival area and the high priced food.

 

[ladynancy]

We LOVE the Big E. We are health food fanatics, but there are a few times a year when all rules are broken. Our day at the Big E is one of those times we splurge. It's tradition to get a corn dog as soon as we walk in. Some other favorites are the stuffed baked potato, cinnamon buns, and sweet potato french fries - oooooh, the sweet potato french fries are so good. My husband goes for the sausage and pepper sandwich - a couple of them. Can't forget the frozen key lime pie on a stick, and smoothies in two-foot skinny glasses with a looong straw. By the time we get to the Avenue of the States, we have eaten too much and spent too much money on food. This year we plan to start our food sampling at the Avenue of the States.

We enjoy the shows. We don't usually go on the rides. As far as retail merchandise goes, they seem to have the same vendors each year. It would be nice to see something different, but we still browse through everything.

We prefer to go on a weekday. We spend about 6 hours there and still don't see everything.