The Eastern States Exposition

"The Big E" redirects here. For other uses, see Big E (disambiguation).
The Big E
The Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts in 2007
StatusActive
GenreAgricultural show
BeginsSecond Friday after Labor Day
EndsSeventeen days after it opens
FrequencyAnnual
VenueEastern States Exposition
Location(s)1305 Memorial Ave. West Springfield, MA 01089
Inaugurated1917 (1917)
FounderJoshua L. Brooks
Attendance1,633,935 (2024)[1]
AreaNew England
Websitethebige.com

The Big E, formally known as The Eastern States Exposition, is an annual fair in West Springfield, Massachusetts, which opens on the second Friday after Labor Day and runs for seventeen days.

It is billed as "New England's Great State Fair," the largest agricultural event on the eastern seaboard and the fifth-largest fair in the nation.[2] The Big E is inclusive of all six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

History

The fair promoted on a period post card, c. 1930–1945

The first Eastern States Exposition occurred in October 1916 in West Springfield, Massachusetts, and was called the Eastern States Agricultural and Industrial Exposition. All six New England states, plus Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, participated.[3] Joshua L. Brooks conceived it to help promote agriculture and educate young people with the skills and knowledge needed in agricultural vocations. The Exposition featured displays of innovations in the industry and held contests designed to encourage farmers to better themselves through competition.[4]

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America partnered with the Exposition to organize youth competitions, in which prizes were awarded for best produce, jams, breads, raised hens, planting techniques, and other categories. The youth component drew competitors from all ten participating states and was deemed "a triumph in a new type of education."[3] An eight-day camp program was established at Springfield's Camp Vail for all youths who placed first or second in judged competitions.[5]

The ten-state format continued into the 1920s, with the month of the Exposition moving to September. According to officials, the "Eastern States movement" aimed to make the ten states "more nearly self-supporting food-wise and possess a large, prosperous and contented farming population." Emphasis on the development of young farmers continued with the establishment of "Baby Beef Clubs" in 1920 to help youths buy, raise, exhibit, and sell livestock at the event.[6]

Newspaper ad for the Eastern States Exposition, 1938

The exposition grew beyond agriculture and industry within its first few years. In 1923, the Massachusetts Department of Health built a model schoolhouse on the fairgrounds, offering free medical and dental examinations.[7] The rise of the eugenics movement in the 1920s led to the inclusion of "Fitter Family" contests, in which prizes were awarded to individuals and families based on appearance and ethnic background.[8][9] Exhibits on Native American culture were added, including a tipi exhibit hosted by Reginald and Gladys Laubin in 1926.[10] Entertainment elements were added by the 1930s, including demonstrations of "automobile polo" (featuring acrobats playing polo while driving Ford cars) and competitive performances by high school bands.[11][12]

By 1940, the exposition had focused more on the six New England states. At that year's horse show in West Springfield, competitors from Delaware, New Jersey, and New York were placed in the open classes instead of the New England division.[13]

In 1966, for its fiftieth anniversary, the fair began marketing itself as "The Big E." The "E" stands for what organizers said was an emphasis on "entertainment, education and excitement."[14]

Since the first fair, only World War I and World War II, during which the military requisitioned the grounds as storage depots, and the COVID-19 pandemic have interrupted the annual tradition.[4][15]

Attractions

Avenue of States

Avenue of States

The Avenue of States contains life-size replicas of the six original New England statehouses, as well as the New England Grange House. In actuality, the state houses are not replicas but rather modeled after original state houses in most instances. The buildings for New Hampshire and Vermont bear no resemblance to their original state houses.

These buildings feature exhibits and vendors that exemplify the heritage, food, and traditions of each state as a way of promoting tourism. For example, the Maine House offers lobster, blueberry, and baked potatoes, while the Vermont House has Ben and Jerry's ice cream, maple syrup, and Cabot cheese.[16] Vendors also sell locally-made products and handicrafts.[16] The Maine baked potatoes have become an icon, with buyers regularly joining long lines during the fair's busier periods. The Connecticut building supplies Timex watches as well as Lego, which has its US headquarters in that state. The Rhode Island building features Del's Lemonade[16] and Blount Seafood Clamcakes and Chowder, as well as books from Rhode Island author C. M. Eddy, Jr., who has links back to H. P. Lovecraft and Houdini in Rhode Island.

Much like national embassies, the statehouses and the land on which they sit are owned by the respective jurisdiction. Through an arrangement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, they are administered by representatives from each state's police force during the fair. Due to this distinction, tickets for each of the six lotteries can be purchased among the houses.

Livestock and animals

The Big E remains true to its agricultural roots today, with more than 7,100 4-H and FFA participants, and 1,100 open-show exhibitors, as well as educational displays and attractions.[citation needed]

In keeping with the fair's agricultural roots, there are many livestock displays at The Big E. The Big E Coliseum features daily horse shows, while the Mallary Complex houses livestock and other farm animals, including goats, chickens, pigs, and sheep.

Other animals, such as those found at petting zoos or in the Big E Circus Spectacular, are also featured at The Big E. There are also many 4-H youth livestock shows and a sale of the 4-H steers.

Food

Many foods representing New England cuisine can be found at The Big E, along with traditional fair foods like fried dough, corn dogs, and lemonade. Aside from the state houses, food sellers can be found throughout the main vendor areas and around the perimeter of the fairgrounds.

Since 2000, The Big E has endeavored to introduce its own signature foods. This began in 2002 when The Big E introduced Big E Cream Puffs, which it intended to be the signature dessert of the Fair.[17] The Big E features the cream puffs in some of its advertising; in addition, the cream puffs have been featured on local and national TV shows, including Live! with Regis and Kelly. This was followed by the introduction in 2004 of "The Big (Chocolate) Eclairs" and, in 2006, of Big E Chocolate Chip Cookies, made with Ghirardelli chocolate. In 2009, they introduced the "Craz-E Burger," which is a bacon cheeseburger on a glazed donut rather than a bun.

Vendors

Small shops are a primary attraction of the Big E. Vendors can be found across most of the fairgrounds, selling items ranging from state-specific trinkets and regional memorabilia to household goods, clothing, and accessories. Many vendors set up shops selling the same goods in multiple areas of the fair in order to attract as many customers as possible.

The Better Living Center is the largest vendor area, featuring household wares, home improvement services, cookware, and health supplements. The International Building is home to vendors selling items from other cultures, in particular those with a common connection with many New Englanders, in particular Irish and Italian imported goods.

Concerts

The Xfinity Arena provides an open-air performing area with seating for over 6,000 people. Each weekend, big-name bands and musicians come to perform on this stage. There are ticketed shows (admission to the fair is included with the purchase of a concert ticket as long as it is purchased before the date of the show) as well as a number of free shows that are seated on a "first-come, first-served" basis.

The Court of Honor Stage, located right in the heart of the fairgrounds, also offers free concerts.

Springfield cowgirls, c. 1930

Other attractions

  • Storrowton Village, where fairgoers can experience New England life from the 19th century.
  • The Midway, home to carnival rides and games, is operated by North American Midway Entertainment. The Giant Slide is 46 feet high and 135 feet long. It was originally erected near Gate 5 in 1969 but moved to its current spot behind the Better Living Center in 1983.[18]
  • A daily Mardi Gras-style parade
  • The Eastern States Coliseum, more colloquially known as the "Big E Coliseum," is an arena on the grounds where numerous equestrian contests and other special events are held. The building was formerly a professional ice hockey venue.
  • Animatronic shows, namely Melody Farm Follies in the "Farm-A-Rama" section and in 2015 and 2016, the Billy Bob's Bear-A-Dise traveling Rock-afire Explosion show.

Other uses

The fairgrounds are used for other events throughout the year, including

In January 2013, the Exposition joined with Hard Rock International in a proposal to build a casino and hotel on 40 acres of the fairground in a bid for the single casino license available in Western Massachusetts.[20] In a town referendum on September 10, the voters of West Springfield voted the project down.

Annual visitors

Year Visitors
2023 1,427,234[1]
2022 1,603,354[21]
2021 1,498,774[1]
2020 0[15]
2019 1,629,527[1]
2018 1,543,470[22]
2017 1,525,553[22]
2016 1,418,042[23]
2015 1,345,961[24]
2014 1,498,605[25]
2013 1,481,917[25]
2012 1,365,896[26]
2011 1,201,428[27]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Big E Attendance Records". www.thebige.com.
  2. ^ "2019 Top 50 Fairs" (PDF).
  3. ^ a b Hart, William R. (November 2, 1916). "A Triumph in a New Type of Education". The Journal of Education. 84 (16): 439. doi:10.1177/002205741608401611. JSTOR 42807826. S2CID 187119425.
  4. ^ a b "History of the Eastern States Exposition". Eastern States Exposition.
  5. ^ "Eastern States Exposition". The Journal of Education. 90 (18): 490–491. November 1, 1919. JSTOR 42767475.
  6. ^ Benson, O. H. (February 9, 1922). "The Baby Beef Club in New England". The Journal of Education. 95 (6): 149–150. doi:10.1177/002205742209500607. JSTOR 42806062. S2CID 165989485.
  7. ^ "The Eastern States Exposition: Exhibit of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health". The Journal of Education. 98 (18): 494–495. November 15, 1923. doi:10.1177/002205742309801809. JSTOR 42767909. S2CID 220776987.
  8. ^ Selden, Steven (June 2005). "Transforming Better Babies into Fitter Families: Archival Resources and the History of the American Eugenics Movement, 1908-1930". Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. 149 (2): 199–225. JSTOR 4598925. PMID 16208870.
  9. ^ Brave, Ralph; Sylva, Kathryn (Summer 2007). "Exhibiting Eugenics: Response and Resistance to a Hidden History". The Public Historian. 29 (3): 33–51. doi:10.1525/tph.2007.29.3.33. JSTOR 10.1525/tph.2007.29.3.33. PMID 18175450.
  10. ^ Ellis, Clyde (Autumn 2008). "'More Real than the Indians Themselves': The Early Years of the Indian Lore Movement in the United States". Montana: The Magazine of Western History. 58 (3): 3–22. JSTOR 25485733.
  11. ^ Baron, Michael (Fall 1969). "The Answer Is in the Media". RQ. 9 (1): 30–31. JSTOR 25823559.
  12. ^ "Eastern Conference". Music Supervisors' Journal. 199999999 (2): 52–53. December 1931. doi:10.2307/3383364. JSTOR 3383364. S2CID 221047968.
  13. ^ Buell, Theodore E. (September 16, 1940). "28 Nutmeg Entries At Springfield". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. Retrieved September 13, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Eastern States Exposition: It's Old but Getting Younger". North Adams, Massachusetts: North Adams Transcript. 2 September 1966. p. 11. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  15. ^ a b Kaufman, Jill (June 30, 2020). "Big E Canceled For 2020, Three Months Before A Planned Opening Day". New England Public Media.
  16. ^ a b c Sanzo, Taylor (2022-09-23). "The Big E State Buildings: Here are 5 things to see from New England's 6 states". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  17. ^ O'Malley, Nick (2022-09-18). "First time at The Big E? Here are the 10 best foods to try". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  18. ^ "Springfield, Massachusetts - MassLive.com". www.masslive.com.
  19. ^ Nanton, Steven (January 2023). "More than 150 vendors, companies, designers and planners filled the Better Living Center for the 2-day show". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  20. ^ Mark Arsenault; Martin Finucane (January 11, 2013). "Hard Rock unveils plans for casino at Big E fairgrounds". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
  21. ^ "Here's how many people attended The Big E this year". masslive. October 3, 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Big E Attendance Records". May 2, 2019. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019.
  23. ^ "The Big E sets attendance records with 1.4 million attendees". October 3, 2016.
  24. ^ DeForge, Jeanette (October 5, 2015). "Big E ends 2015 fair with 1.3 million attendance over 17 days". masslive.
  25. ^ a b "The 2014 Big E Breaks Attendance Record". September 29, 2014.
  26. ^ Román, Elizabeth (September 29, 2013). "The Big E breaks its 2012 attendance record with 1,376,796 visitors". masslive.
  27. ^ E, The Big (October 5, 2011). "The Big E: 2011 Big E Wrap-up!".

Further reading

  • Gagnon, Frances M. (1997). Eastern States Exposition, 1916-1996: an illustrated history at 75 years. West Springfield, Mass.: Eastern States Exposition. ISBN 0-9660487-0-9.
  • Phaneuf, Wayne E. (2016). Eastern States Exposition Centennial: a century of fun at the Big E. Springfield, Mass.: The Republican. ISBN 978-1-59725-639-1.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Big E.


42°5′29.1″N 72°37′7.1″W / 42.091417°N 72.618639°W / 42.091417; -72.618639

Read other articles:

Muzaffer Ergüder

Turkish politician This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources.Find sources: Muzaffer Ergüder – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2018) Muzaffer ErgüderMember of the Grand National Assembly Personal detailsBorn1886Bursa, Ottoman EmpireDied19 February 1962NationalityTurkish Muzaffer Erg�...

 

 

Full-court press

Defensive tactic in basketball Pressing defense redirects here. For the defensive tactic in association football, see Glossary of association football terms § P. A full-court press is a basketball term for a defensive style in which the defense applies pressure to the offensive team the entire length of the court before and after the inbound pass. Pressure may be applied man-to-man, or via a zone press using a zone defense. Some presses attempt to deny the initial inbounds pass and trap...

 

 

2000 Anchorage mayoral election

2000 Anchorage mayoral election ← 1997 April 4, 2000 (first round)[1]May 2, 2000 (runoff)[2] 2003 → Turnout30.94% (first round) 35.63% (runoff)   Candidate George Wuerch Mark Begich Jack Frost First-round vote 12,681 24,920 11,396 First-round percentage 20.49% 40.26% 18.41% Second-round vote 32,167 20,116 Second-round percentage 52.49% 47.51%   Candidate Bob Bell First-round vote 6,034 First-round percentage 9.75% Mayor before election Rick Mys...

Honda NSS250

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (March 2013) This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise ...

 

 

Tanzania

Disambiguazione – Se stai cercando l'omonimo genere di ragni, vedi Tanzania (zoologia). Tanzania (dettagli) (dettagli) (SW) Uhuru na Umoja(IT) Libertà e Unità Tanzania - Localizzazione Dati amministrativiNome completoRepubblica Unita di Tanzania Nome ufficiale(SW) Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania(EN) United Republic of Tanzania Lingue ufficialiswahili e inglese CapitaleDodoma  (410.956 ab. / 2012) PoliticaForma di governoRepubblica presidenziale PresidenteSamia Suluhu ...

 

 

كينغسلي (آيوا)

كينغسلي     الإحداثيات 42°35′21″N 95°58′06″W / 42.589166666667°N 95.968333333333°W / 42.589166666667; -95.968333333333   [1] تاريخ التأسيس 1883  تقسيم إداري  البلد الولايات المتحدة[2]  التقسيم الأعلى مقاطعة بليموث  خصائص جغرافية  المساحة 4.163343 كيلومتر مربع (1 أبريل 2010)  ار...

羅德島州

本條目存在以下問題，請協助改善本條目或在討論頁針對議題發表看法。 此條目需要擴充。 (2013年1月1日)请協助改善这篇條目，更進一步的信息可能會在討論頁或扩充请求中找到。请在擴充條目後將此模板移除。 此條目需要补充更多来源。 (2013年1月1日)请协助補充多方面可靠来源以改善这篇条目，无法查证的内容可能會因為异议提出而被移除。致使用者：请搜索一下条目的...

 

 

The Thinker: Portrait of Louis N. Kenton

1900 painting by Thomas Eakins The Thinker: Portrait of Louis N. KentonArtistThomas EakinsYear1900MediumOil on canvasDimensions210 cm × 110 cm (82 in × 42 in)LocationMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York The Thinker: Portrait of Louis N. Kenton is an oil painting of 1900 by the American artist Thomas Eakins. It is a depiction of the artist's brother-in-law, Louis N. Kenton (1865-1947), and it has been called one of Eakins's most memorable portraits.&...

 

 

SMK Negeri 26 Jakarta

SMK Negeri 26 JakartaInformasiDidirikan1 Juli 1971 [1]AkreditasiA [2]Nomor Pokok Sekolah Nasional20103787Kepala SekolahPurwosusilo M.Pd.Jurusan atau peminatanTeknologi dan RekayasaRentang kelasX-XIIIKurikulumKurikulum 2013 RevisiJumlah siswa1.960 Peserta Didik T.A. 2021/2022 [2]StatusSekolah Menengah Kejuruan NegeriAlamatLokasiJl. Balai Pustaka Baru I No.1, Rawamangun, Pulo Gadung 13220, Jakarta Timur, DKI Jakarta,  IndonesiaTel./Faks.(021) 4720310Koordi...

Port Olímpic

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (September 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) The Port Olímpic (English: Olympic Harbour) is a marina located in Barcelona, Catalonia. Located east of the Port of Barcelona, it hosted the sailing events for the 1992 Summer Olympics. It will be the main venue for ...

 

 

Petri Sarvamaa

Finnish politician and journalist This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous.Find sources:...

 

 

Rainwater Basin

Complex of wetlands across a 21-county area of Nebraska Rainwater Basin Wetland Management DistrictIUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)Show map of NebraskaShow map of the United StatesLocationNebraska, USA]Nearest cityKearney, NebraskaCoordinates40°42′30″N 99°04′52″W / 40.70833°N 99.08111°W / 40.70833; -99.08111Area22,864 acres (92.53 km2)Established1963Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceWebsiteRainwater Basin Wetland M...

قائمة موانئ الإمارات العربية المتحدة

هذه المقالة بحاجة لصندوق معلومات. فضلًا ساعد في تحسين هذه المقالة بإضافة صندوق معلومات مخصص إليها. تعد الموانئ البحرية في دولة الإمارات وأداة مهمة لدفع عجلة النمو الاقتصادي، وفقاً لمجلس الشحن العالمي، تضم دولة الإمارات اثنان من أكبر 50 ميناء حاويات في العالم.[1] تستحوذ �...

 

 

Jayhawker

Became synonymous with the people of Kansas during the Bleeding Kansas period of the 1850s For other uses, see Jayhawk (disambiguation). Broadside recruiting men for the Independent Kansas Jay-Hawkers, 1st Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. Burned Wagons Point in Death Valley, where the Jayhawker group of 49ers killed their oxen, chopped the wagons, dried the meat, and set off westward on foot. Jayhawker and red leg are terms that came to prominence in Kansas Territory during the Bleeding Kansas perio...

 

 

Ille-et-Vilaine's 4th constituency

Constituency of the National Assembly of France 4th constituency of Ille-et-VilaineinlineConstituency of the National Assembly of FranceConstituency in departmentIlle-et-Vilaine in FranceDeputyMathilde HignetLFIDepartmentIlle-et-VilaineCantons(pre-2015) Bain-de-Bretagne, Bruz, Grand-Fougeray, Guichen, Maure-de-Bretagne, Plélan-le-Grand, Pipriac, Redon, Le Sel-de-Bretagne Politics of France Political parties Elections Previous Next The 4th constituency of Ille-et-Vilaine is a French legislati...

Leroy Burrell

Leroy BurrellNazionalità Stati Uniti Altezza183 cm Peso82 kg Atletica leggera SpecialitàVelocità SocietàSanta Monica Track Club Termine carriera1998 Record 60 m 648 (indoor - 1991) 100 m 985 (1994) 200 m 2012 (1992) Lungo 8,37 m (1989) CarrieraNazionale 1991-1993 Stati Uniti Palmarès Competizione Ori Argenti Bronzi Giochi olimpici 1 0 0 Mondiali 2 1 0 Vedi maggiori dettagli  Modifica dati su Wikidata · Manuale Leroy Russell Burrell (Filadelfia, 21 febbraio 1967) è un ex ...

 

 

Bernhard Riemann

German mathematician (1826–1866) Riemann redirects here. For other people with the surname, see Riemann (surname). For other topics named after Bernhard Riemann, see List of topics named after Bernhard Riemann. Not to be confused with Bernhard Raimann. This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (November 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)...

 

 

書法

楷書四大家（中国語版）による「書」。左上から時計回りに欧陽詢、颜真卿、柳公権、趙孟頫。 書法（しょほう）とは、文字を書く方法である。その三大要素として、筆法・間架結構法・布置章法がある[1][2]。 概要 中国では書道という言葉は使わず、書学という語を用いている。書学とは書の形式である書法を集成したものである。書法は中国の天才が創�...

Roman Reloaded (song)

2012 promotional single by Nicki Minaj featuring Lil WayneRoman ReloadedPromotional single by Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Waynefrom the album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded ReleasedFebruary 24, 2012Recorded2011GenreHardcore hip hopLength3:14LabelYoung MoneyCash MoneyUniversal RepublicSongwriter(s)Onika MarajDwayne CarterRicardo LamarreProducer(s)Rico BeatsAudio videoRoman Reloaded on YouTube Roman Reloaded is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Wayne, from Minaj's second studio album Pink F...

 

 

Политические партии Германии

Эта страница требует существенной переработки. Возможно, её необходимо правильно оформить, дополнить или переписать.Пояснение причин и обсуждение — на странице Википедия:К улучшению/3 сентября 2023. В данном списке представлены политические партии Германии: Содержание 1 ...