New England's largest fair boasts new fried food options
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Some of the food available at this year's Big E. Photo: Big E
The biggest state fair in New England is in full swing, bringing music, carnival rides and a ton of gut-busting food innovations to West Springfield.
What's happening: The Big E, aka the Eastern States Exposition, is our regional celebration of local agricultural products and the fifth-largest fair in the nation. It brings together all six New England states to show off what the region has to offer.
- That includes some truly amazing fatty concoctions.
By the numbers: The Big E kicked off last Friday and ends Sept. 29.
- It's $20 for adults and $10 for kids 6–12.
- A pass for the carnival rides costs $35.
- This year's fair has already broken attendance records. 275,444 people came on the fair's opening Saturday.
What to eat: New foods include "birria vampiros" (birria tacos with dipping broth), fried deviled eggs and the "Craz-E Burger" — Angus patties smashed between two glazed doughnuts.
- Old favorites making a return include deep-fried ice cream sandwiches, the "Monstah Mozz" fried cheese on a stick, bacon ends in chocolate, lobster tater tots, crab rangoon pizza, cookie dough on a stick and of course, the famed Big E cream puff.
What to see: There's music galore at several stages around the fair.
- Dustin Lynch and Fuel play Friday night.
- Diplo is on Saturday.
- Quiet Riot and classic rock band America both play Sunday.
- Wang Chung is on Sept. 23.
- Lisa Loeb comes by Sept. 27.
- Public Enemy hits the stage Sept. 28.
The big picture: Through livestock shows, local vendors and exhibits on agriculture, the Big E tries to be a bridge between urban and rural communities by educating visitors who may have never seen a farm about how agriculture impacts everyday life.
Don't forget: There are also some tried and tested fair traditions, like replicas of each New England state's original statehouse and several horse shows.