The Big E is like New England's Epcot
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Last year's New Orleans Mardi Gras parade at the Big E. Photo: Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
If you've never made the trip from Boston to West Springfield for the Big E, this might be the year to try it.
Why it matters: It's not just another state fair; it's six state fairs in one, packed into a 17-day showcase of New England's culinary chops, cultural identity and agricultural output.
- Embrace the New Englandcore vibes.
Driving the news: The Big E opens Friday in West Springfield and runs through Sept. 28.
- It's about an hour and 45 minutes from Boston. Just take the Pike to West Springfield.
By the numbers: The Big E — aka the Eastern States Exposition — is the largest agricultural event on the East Coast.
- 1.6 million visitors set an attendance record last year, according to the Big E.
- 39 local vendors are selling their wares in the newly renovated Massachusetts Building, one of six state-specific sites showcasing the best made-in-New England products.
- The strip of replica statehouse buildings and the quaint Storrowton Village recreation basically make it Yankee Epcot.
Stunning stat: The Big E is apparently the third-largest fair in the country by attendance after Texas and Minnesota.
- That makes our fair bigger than those famous rural, corndog fests in Iowa, Wisconsin, Arizona and Oklahoma.
Of course, the food is a highlight.
- Check out over 90 new fairground food options and food-adjacent fried monstrosities.
What to try: The deep-fried chile rellenos, Dubai chocolates, and the Big E's signature cream puffs, turkey legs and famous one-pound meatballs.
- For the back-to-the-land 4H influencers out there, check out the livestock competitions featuring animals from dozens of states.
- And you know Vermont isn't showing up without some extravagant dairy art like a butter cow or a giant Birkenstock made of cheddar.
Cheapskate tips: "Bargain Bites Monday" on Sept. 15 has $3 specials at some vendors.
- Sunday-Thursday has $11 admission after 5pm.
The music: Gov't Mule opens the fair Friday night, and Busta Rhymes and Rick Ross headline Saturday, Sept. 13.
- TLC with Big Boi are Sept. 19.
- Foreigner is on Sept. 21.
- Train stops by Sept. 27.
- And ZZ Top closes things out Sept. 28.
And no multistate fair would be complete without second-stage musical acts from 25 years ago that you think you kind of remember.
- Well, get ready to jog your memory with acts like Tonic, the Marshall Tucker Band, Five for Fighting, Sister Hazel, Finger Eleven and Queensrÿche.
The bottom line: Eat some deep-fried-whatever and revel in New England exceptionalism.