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 today 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.

Share with a fair-lover

Josh Kraft is out of the race for mayor after a devastating loss to Mayor Michelle Wu in Tuesday's preliminary election.

Why it matters: The nonprofit leader and son of New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft came in 48 percentage points behind the incumbent.

• Wu now has an uncontested path to a second term.

What they're saying: "When I kept looking at the next eight weeks, the negativity, and all that it was going to be about. I realized, wow, I can do more. I can make a better impact for the residents of the city of Boston," Kraft told WCVB in an interview.

Between the lines: Kraft's decision yesterday ends a campaign that never fully took off, despite him pouring millions of his own money into it.

What's next: Kraft said he plans to donate $3 million in campaign funds to fight homelessness and substance use disorder.

Read on

The Fenway Park concession workers who've been striking over wage and automation disputes are taking their message straight to Boston sports fans — and possibly Red Sox ownership — with new ads on sports radio.

Why it matters: They've timed the ads to coincide with a series against the Yankees, and workers are threatening additional strikes if negotiations stall out.

State of play: Aramark concession workers want to pressure Red Sox principal owner John Henry to address wage concerns with the team's food and beverage contractor.

Driving the news: The ads feature worker testimonials criticizing the "beer robot" self-checkout kiosks they claim inadequately verify age.

• The campaign will run through September on sports radio stations, directing fans to JohnHenryDotheRightThing.com.

What they're saying: "Beer robots are a bad idea. They can't check IDs and they definitely can't keep fans safe," longtime beerman Bob White says in one ad.

The other side: Aramark has said the kiosks improve service and wait times for fans.

Catch up quick: Unite Here Local 26 members launched a three-day strike in July during a Dodgers home stand.

• Workers want better pay and less automation at Fenway.
• Aramark has contingency plans to maintain vending services at the ballpark and say they're still working toward a settlement.

Share with a season ticket holder

🚔 Boston's police accountability office is tracking what it calls "questionable" ICE tactics as Mayor Michelle Wu faces criticism from Trump border czar Tom Homan over an enforcement surge. (Boston Herald)

💼 Massachusetts' new economic development secretary, Eric Paley, believes it's inevitable that OpenAI will move to the Bay State because of our "ultimate brain power." (BBJ)

🚇 The Red Line lost power near South Station just before 8:30am yesterday, forcing T riders onto shuttle buses between Broadway and Park Street during rush hour. (Universal Hub)

🏥 Bay Staters say they're satisfied with the quality of health care they receive despite some access and cost barriers, according to a new MassINC poll. (CommonWealth Beacon)

• One-third of residents say they delayed or skipped care due to costs, while 20% waited months for appointments.

The MBTA started issuing citations for fare evasion Monday.

• Gate-jumpers will get a warning first, then a $50 fine for a first offense.
• After that, it's $100.

Emmy nominees "The Bear" and "The White Lotus" were the most-searched titles among Roku users in Massachusetts.

State of play: Roku found the top-searched Emmy candidates in the Best Drama Series, Best Comedy Series and Best Limited Series categories.

The intrigue: "The Penguin," a spinoff of the 2022 film "The Batman," was the top-searched show in the Best Limited Series category in all 50 states.

What's next: The Emmys, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, air on CBS4 and Paramount+ Sunday.

Ready to test your knowledge of the week's news?

• Click here to take our quiz and tell us how you did!

Send a screenshot of your perfect score to [email protected] for the glory of a shoutout next week!