Eastern States Exposition Presents $351,742 to Town of West Springfield

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Each year, Eastern States Exposition (ESE) donates 1% of its annual gross operating revenue to the town of West Springfield to continue the Eastern States Exposition-West Springfield Trust. On June 25, ESE President and CEO Gene Cassidy and members of the wider team visited Mayor William Reichelt at West Springfield Town Hall to present a check for $351,742 to the trust.

Cassidy, Reichelt, and attorney Mary Paier Powers are all on the board for the trust and were present at the press conference and check presentation. This executive body reviews grant applications and awards a percentage of the donations to applicants. The allotted donation benefits education, youth, athletics, and the elderly, as well as combating food insecurity in West Springfield, among other assistance. The remainder accrues with each donation.

As a not-for-profit entity, ESE does not receive federal support, state support, or funding from local taxes. This sets the Big E, which has grown to be the fourth-largest fair in North America, and the broader organization apart from most fairs. To express appreciation to the populace that continues to support its mission faithfully, ESE partnered with the town to create the Eastern States Exposition-West Springfield Trust.

“Congratulations to all who were awarded a grant,” Reichelt said. “We received a lot of requests this year, and it’s always difficult to whittle down which causes we give to. Thank you for joining us today.”

Added Cassidy, “I’m proud to be at the helm of an organization capable of giving back to West Springfield. Our total payments to the town in 2025 were more than $2.2 million across taxes, licensing, and more. Even with significant expenditures, we continue to grow the trust.

“Since it was first founded more than three decades ago in 1995, Eastern States Exposition has contributed $6.1 million to West Springfield through the trust,” he went on. “When we started, it was easy to decide where grants would be awarded because we had so few applicants. Now, it’s difficult to choose between the many impactful projects proposed. We are proud to invest in the town we call home and the people that live there.”