The Eastern States Exposition
big e formally known eastern state exposition annual fair west springfield massachusetts open second friday labor day run seventeen day billed new england great state fair largest agricultural event eastern seaboard fifthlargest fair nation big e inclusive six new england state connecticut maine massachusetts new hampshire rhode island vermont first eastern state exposition occurred october west springfield massachusetts called eastern state agricultural industrial exposition six new england state plus delaware new jersey new york pennsylvania participated joshua l brook conceived help promote agriculture educate young people skill knowledge needed agricultural vocation exposition featured display innovation industry held contest designed encourage farmer better competition boy girl club america partnered exposition organize youth competition prize awarded best produce jam bread raised hen planting technique category youth component drew competitor ten participating state deemed triumph new type education eightday camp program established springfield camp vail youth placed first second judged competition tenstate format continued month exposition moving september according official eastern state movement aimed make ten state nearly selfsupporting foodwise possess large prosperous contented farming population emphasis development young farmer continued establishment baby beef club help youth buy raise exhibit sell livestock event exposition grew beyond agriculture industry within first year massachusetts department health built model schoolhouse fairground offering free medical dental examination rise eugenics movement led inclusion fitter family contest prize awarded individual family based appearance ethnic background exhibit native american culture added including tipi exhibit hosted reginald gladys laubin entertainment element added including demonstration automobile polo featuring acrobat playing polo driving ford car competitive performance high school band exposition focused six new england state year horse show west springfield competitor delaware new jersey new york placed open class instead new england division fiftieth anniversary fair began marketing big e e stand organizer said emphasis entertainment education excitement since first fair world war world war ii military requisitioned ground storage depot covid pandemic interrupted annual tradition avenue state contains lifesize replica six original new england statehouse well new england grange house actuality state house replica rather modeled original state house instance building new hampshire vermont bear resemblance original state house building feature exhibit vendor exemplify heritage food tradition state way promoting tourism example maine house offer lobster blueberry baked potato vermont house ben jerry ice cream maple syrup cabot cheese vendor also sell locallymade product handicraft maine baked potato become icon buyer regularly joining long line fair busier period connecticut building supply timex watch well lego u headquarters state rhode island building feature dels lemonade blount seafood clamcakes chowder well book rhode island author c eddy jr link back h p lovecraft houdini rhode island much like national embassy statehouse land sit owned respective jurisdiction arrangement commonwealth massachusetts administered representative state police force fair due distinction ticket six lottery purchased among house big e remains true agricultural root today h ffa participant openshow exhibitor well educational display attraction keeping fair agricultural root many livestock display big e big e coliseum feature daily horse show mallary complex house livestock farm animal including goat chicken pig sheep animal found petting zoo big e circus spectacular also featured big e also many h youth livestock show sale h steer many food representing new england cuisine found big e along traditional fair food like fried dough corn dog lemonade aside state house food seller found throughout main vendor area around perimeter fairground since big e endeavored introduce signature food began big e introduced big e cream puff intended signature dessert fair big e feature cream puff advertising addition cream puff featured local national tv show including live regis kelly followed introduction big chocolate eclair big e chocolate chip cooky made ghirardelli chocolate introduced craze burger bacon cheeseburger glazed donut rather bun small shop primary attraction big e vendor found across fairground selling item ranging statespecific trinket regional memorabilia household good clothing accessory many vendor set shop selling good multiple area fair order attract many customer possible better living center largest vendor area featuring household ware home improvement service cookware health supplement international building home vendor selling item culture particular common connection many new englanders particular irish italian imported good xfinity arena provides openair performing area seating people weekend bigname band musician come perform stage ticketed show admission fair included purchase concert ticket long purchased date show well number free show seated firstcome firstserved basis court honor stage located right heart fairground also offer free concert storrowton village fairgoers experience new england life th century midway home carnival ride game operated north american midway entertainment giant slide foot high foot long originally erected near gate moved current spot behind better living center daily mardi grasstyle parade eastern state coliseum colloquially known big e coliseum arena ground numerous equestrian contest special event held building formerly professional ice hockey venue animatronic show namely melody farm folly farmarama section billy bob bearadise traveling rockafire explosion show fairground used event throughout year including amherst railway society railroad hobby show equine affaire northeastern poultry congress society manufacturing engineer eastec exposition springfield rv camping outdoor show springfield sportsmens show wedding bridal expo january exposition joined hard rock international proposal build casino hotel acre fairground bid single casino license available western massachusetts town referendum september voter west springfield voted project gagnon france eastern state exposition illustrated history year west springfield mass eastern state exposition isbn phaneuf wayne e eastern state exposition centennial century fun big e springfield mass republican isbn big e eastern state exposition owner operator fair ground