WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Big E attracts top-tier performers to the Big E Arena and the Court of Honor stage, but the fair also offers four stages to spotlight New England-based acts, community groups, and rising names in entertainment. This 17-day celebration returns to West Springfield Sept. 18 through Oct. 4. Anyone who wants a chance to grow their act may fill out an application by clicking here.

The E Stage, sponsored by Malibu, showcases emerging and established regional artists performing original music. Solo acts through full bands are accepted. This stage offers daily entertainment; performances take place weekdays at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and weekends at 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.

Storrowton Gazebo, sponsored by Good Health Saunas, offers family-friendly entertainment on a stage at the heart of the idyllic Storrowton Village Museum. Performances are introduced by emcee Freddie Marion. The gazebo hosts variety acts at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. daily, but applications are also being taken for community performances, which occur at 1:30 p.m.

Dolly’s Honky Tonk brings the nightlife of Nashville to the Big E! Attendees immerse themselves in southern charm with performances by trick ropers, line dancing, and mechanical bull rides. This stage is best suited for regional country bands, with a rotating lineup that plays all day.

New England Center Stage spotlights regional performance groups with daily presentations staggered throughout the fair.

The Big Parade, sponsored by MGM Springfield, is a nightly party that brings the magic of Mardi Gras to the grounds at 6 p.m. daily. Nine festive floats, clopping Clydesdales, variety acts, and more channel Bourbon Street. The Big E is seeking drill teams, color guards, marching bands, collector cars, specialty floats, and more to add to the fun. Applications are available now through June 26 by clicking here.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The town of West Springfield, in collaboration with the Eastern States Exposition, announced that applications are now open for the 2025 Big E Grant. This initiative, funded through the Big E Trust, aims to support local organizations and community-focused projects that enhance the vibrancy and well-being of the town.

The Big E Grant is a funding opportunity derived from an annual contribution of 1% of the Eastern States Exposition’s total gross operating revenues. This contribution is allocated to the town of West Springfield under the terms of the 1995 Big E West Springfield Trust Agreement, ensuring continued investment in community-development initiatives.

The Big E Grant provides financial support for local projects benefiting West Springfield, with eligibility open to organizations, nonprofits, and initiatives that align with the town’s community-development objectives. Applications must be submitted by May 15. The trustees will review submissions, with recipients announced by the end of June. Approved projects must utilize funds within the upcoming fiscal year (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026), and any unused funds will be returned to the grant pool for future applicants.

Applicants are required to submit a completed application through the town’s new OpenGov platform. Additionally, a W-9 form must be uploaded, along with receipts, invoices, and other supporting documents before funds are disbursed.

“The Big E Grant represents an incredible opportunity for local organizations to bring meaningful projects to life,” West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt said. “Through this program, we are proud to invest in initiatives that contribute to the success and enrichment of our community.”

Established in 1995, the Big E Trust was created to ensure that a portion of the Eastern States Exposition’s annual revenues directly benefit the town of West Springfield. The trust is overseen by three trustees.

Interested applicants can learn more and apply by visiting tinyurl.com/bigegrant. Email Carly Camossi at [email protected] with any questions.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Anyone interested in showcasing their group or organization in the Big Parade at the Big E is invited to fill out an application through thebige.com, now through June 27. The Big Parade winds around the fairgrounds daily at 6 p.m. during the fairtaking place Sept. 12-28.

The Big Parade features nine Mardi Gras floats, charming trolleys, a Clydesdale-drawn carriage, classic cars, a larger-than-life giant puppet, and more.

Parade participation is open to the following categories: color guards, marching bands, cheer teams, drill teams, custom/collector cars, specialty floats, costumed characters, trolleys, and performance groups.

While the Big E strives to accommodate applicants on their preferred dates, not all requests can be fulfilled. Organizers do their best to align participants with the appropriate special days and state days; however, due to parade length limitations, each category has a set number of slots per day. Applying early does not guarantee a specific date, as selections are made to ensure a well-balanced program across all 17 days.

Tickets to participate in the Mardi Gras Reveler Experience, a highly anticipated tradition that allows fairgoers to board an authentic float constructed by New Orleans’s own Kern Companies, party, and toss beads to the cheering crowd, will go on sale to the public on Friday, Aug. 1.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — On Dec. 16, Carnival Warehouse, the fair industry’s most comprehensive news source for carnivals and events, released its annual ranking of the top 50 fairs in North America based on attendance numbers. After a record-setting year, the Big E soared to fourth place.

In 2024, the Big E welcomed an unprecedented 1,633,935 fairgoers to the Eastern States Exposition (ESE) complex. Throughout the 17-day fair, seven daily attendance records were set, and Saturday, Sept. 21 set a record for single-day attendance.

North American Midway Entertainment (NAME), the Big E’s carnival provider, retained its position as the number-one midway operator in the same study. NAME operates at 11 of the events on the list of top 50 fairs.

NAME’s history with ESE dates back to 1979 when Conklin Shows was granted the contract to the Big E. Conklin later united with four other major midway operators to create NAME, an international company with corporate headquarters based in Farmland, Ind. NAME’s reign at the Big E began two decades ago, in 2005. Since its inception, NAME has provided rides, games, and food to fairs and festivals in about 140 communities and 20 states, as well as four Canadian provinces. It boasts more than 200 rides and fair classic food concessions that allow clients to remain novel and competitive.

The Big E is an example of ESE’s efforts to connect the larger public with agricultural producers through 17 fun-filled days each September. The fair’s legacy spans more than 115 years, and its growing size and international recognition are a testament to its success. As the agricultural buildings remain at the center of the complex, the impact of the individual farmer remains at the heart of ESE’s mission.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — A total of 1,633,935 fairgoers attended the Big E, in West Springfield this year, setting an all-time record for net attendance.

Additionally, seven daily attendance records were set during the sunny, 17-day event, and the middle Saturday, Sept. 21, set a record for single-day attendance.

“Thank You! 1,633,935 times over, thank you,” Eastern States Exposition President and CEO Gene Cassidy said. “This is a proud moment for everyone associated with Eastern States Exposition: volunteers, staff members, contractors, vendors, concessionaires, and all who participate in the production of the Big E. This organization thrives because of you. Our noble mission remains strong because of you. This was a record-setting fair filled with many challenges, and every one of you played a role that contributed to the continued success of the Big E. What you do matters. Thank you.”

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Big E, the seventh-largest fair in North America, announced its 2024 advertising campaign, titled “United We Fair.”

“The 2024 campaign aims to bring everyone together to enjoy one of America’s most beloved events — an agricultural fair,” said Gene Cassidy, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition. “‘United We Fair’ perfectly encapsulates our commitment to providing people from all over New England and beyond with wholesome family fun, complete with excellent food.”

With stars, stripes, and the Big E’s mascot, Chick-E, sporting natty red, white, and blue attire, the idea of togetherness, as well as the fair’s dedication to raising awareness about the importance of agriculture, was a major factor in creating this new campaign.

One of the top 10 fairs in North America in 2023, the Big E saw record daily attendance, new food offerings, rides, and music acts on three stages. In 2024, the Eastern States Exposition and the Big E aim to break even more records with their new advertising campaign.

“Being united brings people together on many levels and coming together for a common goal. In this case, it’s food, rides, music, and family fun,” said Chuck Mascola, president of Mascola Group, the Big E’s longtime marketing agency.

Now in its 108th year, the Big E will take place Sept. 13-29. For more information, visit thebige.com, email [email protected], or call (413) 737-2443. The public is also invited to follow the Big E on all social-media platforms as entertainment and features are announced.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — A total of 1,427,234 fairgoers attended the 2023 Big E in West Springfield, down from 2022’s tally of more than 1.6 million, due largely to several days of rain over the fair’s 17-day run.

Still, when the weather did cooperate, five daily attendance records were set during the 2023 Big E: the first Tuesday, Sept. 19, 57,802; the second Friday, Sept. 22, 97,477; the second Wednesday, Sept. 27, 95,689; the second Thursday, Sept. 28, 108,962; and the third Sunday, Oct. 1, 170,471.

The 2024 edition of the fair is scheduled for Sept. 13-29.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Have you been sewing up a storm, creating other crafts, or discovering new, delicious recipes? The Creative Arts department at the Big E is looking for entries in a variety of categories for this year’s fair.

The Big E is seeking exhibitors, both youth and adults, to be featured in a diverse showcase. Fairgoers walk through the New England Center to admire the displays of exhibitors’ crafts from numerous departments, including quilting, photography, knitting, jewelry/beading, dolls, holiday ornaments, jellies, honey, homemade granola, baked pie, decorated fake cake, dried food (new for this year), scroll saw, and many more.

The deadline to enter for most departments is Monday, Aug. 14. To enter photography and fine arts, entries must be submitted online by Aug. 1. Entries must be dropped off or mailed in prior to the fair. Exhibitors have the chance to receive awards and ribbons. Entries will be on display for the duration of the fair, which runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 1.

More information regarding rules, department-specific guidelines, entry limits, fees, entry deadlines, receiving dates, and how to enter can be found at www.thebige.com/creativearts. Questions may be directed to [email protected] or (413) 205-5015.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Eastern States Exposition announced a one-day flash ticket sale today, July 11, to mark the 66-day countdown to the Big E.

Admission tickets costing $12 (reduced from the regular price of $20) will be on sale today from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. only at www.thebige.com. There is a limit of eight tickets per order. Tickets can be used any one day of the fair.

Celebrate National Cow Appreciation Day with tickets to the largest agricultural event on the East Coast. See cows, horses, sheep, llamas, goats, and more during the fair, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1. And check out the concert lineup, from John Fogerty and Third Eye Blind to Jimmy Eat World, Zedd, Quinn XCII, and more at thebige.com.

This special sale is a way for the Big E to say thanks to its 1,603,354 visitors who helped make the 2022 Big E the fourth-largest fair in North America.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Christmas may be over, but the Big E Under the Tree holiday special, offering discount tickets and value passes for the 2023 Big E, continues through New Year’s Day, online at www.thebige.com and at the box office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 2023 fair will run from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1. Ticket options available include single-day admission tickets, $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 6-12; Midway Magic vouchers, $30; opening-day tickets, $10; 17-day value passes, $50 for adults, $20 for children ages 6-12 (offer includes four free giant slide tickets for each value pass sold); and cream puff and eclair vouchers, $30 for a six-pack of any combination of cream puffs and eclairs.

All tickets, passes, and vouchers are print-at-home documents. To learn more, visit www.thebige.com/holidaytickets.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — A total of 1,603,354 visitors attended the 2022 Big E in West Springfield. During the fair’s 17-day run, an all-time single-day attendance record was set when 177,789 visitors arrived on Saturday, Sept. 24. Five additional daily attendance records were also set.

The event featured a diverse concert lineup of more than 80 individual performances, plenty of fair foods, rides, and unique shopping experiences. The tradition continues next fall from Sept. 15 through Oct. 1, 2023.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — New England students at the Big E Arena will make live radio contact with an astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS) as it orbits 260 miles above the Earth, traveling at 17,500 mph. The specific date and time will be determined by NASA and is expected to be between Sept. 27 and Sept. 29. The date and time will be announced at thebige.com and on social media.

As part of an educational program intended to promote science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities, the Space Chat is an out-of-this-world opportunity brought to students and Big E fairgoers by amateur (ham) radio operators. Thirteen students from New England Sci-Tech of Natick have been selected to take part in the contact experience at the Big E.

A short program will precede the contact to unpack the STEM learning activities the students are involved in, the role that the space agencies around the world play in making astronaut-contact experiences happen, and how amateur radio makes the contact possible. Following the introductory program, students will have the opportunity to ask questions of an astronaut aboard the ISS via radio communication.

As part of the program, New England Sci-Tech will sponsor a 12-month STEM education program that is free to all students in grades 4-12 and Scouts in New England. The initiative will provide hands-on learning about space science, radio communications, electronics, satellites, rocketry, astronomy, amateur radio, and more. For more information, visit the Amateur Radio Operators booth in the Better Living Center during the fair, which runs from Sept. 16 through Oct. 2.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Have you been sewing up a storm, creating other crafts, or discovering new, delicious recipes? The Creative Arts at the Big E is looking for entries in a variety of categories for this year’s fair.

Now is your chance for your art to be on display alongside hundreds of works from a diverse range of exhibitors, including youth and adults. Fairgoers walk through the New England Center to admire the displays of exhibitors’ crafts from numerous departments, including quilting, photography (including a new underwater photography division), knitting, jewelry/beading, dolls, holiday ornaments, jellies, honey, homemade granola, baked pie, decorated fake cake, scroll saw, and many more.

The deadline to enter for most departments is Monday, Aug. 15. Entries must be dropped off or mailed in prior to the fair. Exhibitors have the chance to receive awards and ribbons. Entries will be on display for the duration of the fair, which runs Sept. 16 to Oct. 2.

Click here for more information regarding rules, department-specific guidelines, entry limits, fees, entry deadlines, receiving dates, and how to enter. If you have any questions, email [email protected] or call (413) 205-5015.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The 2021 numbers are in, and the Big E is officially the third-largest fair in North America, based on attendance measured during the 17-day fair and compared with that of hundreds of fairs in the U.S. and Canada.

“Astoundingly, we beat Minnesota this year,” Eastern States Exposition President and CEO Gene Cassidy said. “The Minnesota State Fair is a benchmark in our industry and attracts visitors from all over the state and beyond. We have waited 105 years for this.”

The Big E’s ranking among the largest fairs in the nation is surpassed only by the State Fair of Texas, located in Dallas; and the Arizona State Fair, located in Phoenix.

Cassidy explained that the first Eastern States Exposition “general-purpose fair” took place in 1917, following a successful run of the National Dairy Show the previous year. To ensure the success of the new endeavor, the Exposition board, led by founder Joshua Brooks, recruited and hired the manager of the highly successful Minnesota State Fair. John Simpson was at the helm of the fledgling Exposition for five years, from 1917 to 1922, and through his efforts, the event was established as a dynamic showcase for New England agriculture and industry, innovation, and entertainment, but heretofore had never surpassed the attendance numbers recorded by Minnesota.

A total of 1,498,774 people visited the 2021 Big E, held Sept. 17 to Oct. 3 in West Springfield, establishing the ranking, according to Carnival Warehouse’s annual Top 50 Fairs list. The 2019 Big E ranked fifth.

The Big E set four daily attendance records over the course of 2021’s 17-day event, including an all-time single-day attendance of 177,238 on the final Saturday.

“This milestone is the result of the hard work and the efforts of our employees, volunteers, contractors, and partners, who went more than the extra mile to produce a memorable event under challenging circumstances,” Cassidy said. “We are thrilled to have presented a safe and successful fair and are grateful to our many guests who supported us and spent one or more September days at the Big E.”

The 2022 Big E takes place Sept. 16 to Oct. 2.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Big E closed out its 17-day fair with a bang this past weekend, drawing 177,238 patrons on Saturday, Oct. 2 — the largest single-day attendance in the event’s history — followed by 118,582 on Sunday, Oct. 3, bringing the total 17-day attendance to 1,498,774.

That fell short of the all-time mark of 1,629,527 set in 2019, but was certainly robust enough to calm the fears of event organizers who worried about COVID-19 infection numbers, driven by the surge of the Delta variant, as mid-September approached.

“I have a fear … that the long arm of the government can suddenly change our lives — we lived through that in 2020, to be sure,” Big E President Gene Cassidy told BusinessWest in August, referring to last year’s first cancellation of the fair since World War II. “And the Eastern States Exposition is surviving on a very thin thread; we cannot withstand being shuttered for another fair because the vacuum that would occur in our economy is nearly three quarters of a billion dollars, and there’s no way that anyone is going to able to replace that.”

Signs were good, however, that attendance would be strong; Cassidy noted at the time that 2021’s advance ticket sales were running 80% higher than in 2019.

This year’s fair set attendance records on three other days as well; Sept. 21 drew the best first-Tuesday crowd ever (56,769), Sept. 26 was the best-ever second Sunday (136,512), and Oct. 1 was the best-ever third Friday (113,827).

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Eastern States Exposition (ESE) announced that, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Brad Paisley concert scheduled for Sept. 24 at the Big E has been cancelled. The ESE is working to bring fans a different concert on that date and will make an announcement as soon as information is available.

The 2021 Big E takes place Sept. 17 to Oct. 3. Information on concert announcements and other events can be found at thebige.com.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The lineup for the Big E’s Court of Honor Stage has been announced. The tented venue, located in front of the iconic Coliseum at the heart of the fairgrounds, hosts more than 85 shows over the 17-day run of the Big E from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3. All events on the Court of Honor Stage are free with admission to the fair. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Concerts include Modern English (Sept. 17-19, 3 p.m.), Jesse McCartney (Sept. 17, 8 p.m.), Tom Franek (Sept. 17-26, 11 a.m, 1 and 6 p.m.), Foghat (Sept. 19, 8 p.m.), Rainere Martin in the Donna Summer Experience (Sept. 20-21, 3 p.m.), the Yardbirds (Sept. 20-21, 8 p.m.), Exile (Sept. 22-23, 3 p.m.), Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Sept. 22, 8 p.m.), 10,000 Maniacs (Sept. 23, 8 p.m.), the Bar-Kays: Soul 2 Soul Revue (Sept. 24-26, 3 p.m.), Ying Yang Twins (Sept. 25, 8 p.m.), Don McLean (Sept. 26, 8 p.m.), the Outlaws (Sept. 27-28, 8 p.m.), the Everly Set (Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, 11 a.m., 1 and 6 p.m.), Big Brother and the Holding Company (Sept. 29-30, 3 p.m.), Lisa Lisa (Sept. 29, 8 p.m.), Tribute to the King featuring Taylor Rodriguez (Oct. 1-3, 3 p.m.), Hoobastank (Oct. 2, 8 p.m.), and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC (Oct. 3, 8 p.m.).

Look for more concert announcements at thebige.com.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Eastern States Exposition (ESE) President Gene Cassidy and West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt met with media on Tuesday to officially announce the opening of the 105th edition of the Big E, slated for Sept. 17 to Oct. 3.

“It’s a good day,” Cassidy said. “We have long awaited the opportunity to make this announcement and have been working diligently on our program. Preparations are underway as we look forward to welcoming everyone back to our beloved Big E.”

Added Reichelt “the Big E is a West Springfield institution, and we welcome all of New England to our town in September. We have appreciated ESE’s transparency and communication through this process as well as their assistance in providing a location for the West of the River Regional Vaccine Center. Personally, I can’t wait to get back to the Big E.”

Cassidy thanked Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Reichelt, and West Springfield Director of Public Health Jeanne Galloway, “who has been working closely with us as we all navigated the many phases of the Massachusetts reopening process.”

“Big is Back” is the theme of this year’s fair. Currently the fifth-largest fair in North America, the Big E will debut some features this year, including the Super Wheel, a 150-foot-high ferris wheel with 36 climate-controlled gondolas that seat up to six people. It will be located between the Better Living Center and the Gate 5 entrance.

Music fans will enjoy concerts at the Big E Arena, sponsored by Truly Hard Seltzer, and fairgoers will be able to visit the Avenue of States and Storrowton Village Museum, shop, eat iconic fair foods, watch the new Big Parade, ride the rides, and much more.

Advance discount tickets to the 2021 Big E are on sale now online at thebige.com or at the Big E box office.

The Big E relies on thousands of employees and volunteers in a variety of positions to help present the fair each year. Visit thebige.com for job postings for the 2021 Big E.

Finally, the Big E would not be possible without the support of its sponsors. The fair has myriad sponsorship opportunities at a variety of levels. Businesses and organizations interested in becoming a sponsor at the Big E should contact Jill Larsen at (413) 205-5017 or [email protected].