By Nina Hutchins
If you ask any Western Mass. local what the best part of The Big E is, you’ll get a dozen different answers. Let’s be honest, the correct one is the food. Where else can you eat an entire Crab Rangoon pizza by yourself without anyone batting an eye? For me, there are certain staples I hit every year: the Maine baked potato, fried Oreos, and pickle pizza.
The exhibition is wrapping up its final week and ends on Sept. 28, so here are my tips and tricks for doing The Big E right.
First, beat the traffic. Don’t even think about relying on the main lot to park, unless you enjoy sitting in your car for hours. Try to find an empty space in one of the side lots. It might cost you 10 or 20 dollars, but your sanity will thank you.
Second, hit every state building you can. For those unfamiliar, the Avenue of States is located next to Gate 1 and showcases the local history of six New England states. Each building is a unique mix of food, travel guides and heritage. Vermont, for example, will give you an array of maple flavored treats: cotton candy, authentic syrup, soft serve, and the list goes on. Try to plan out what food you want to try. The amount of crazy and wacky food The Big E offers can be intimidating, and if you go in there with no plan the only outcome will be money down the drain and a waste of food. Knowledge is power, as they say.
While the food is a main attraction, there is so much more happening at the exposition. Farmers bring in cattle from all around: horses for shows, pigs for competitions, and the list goes on. A walk-through Farm-A-Rama is always a hit, especially with kids who gather around to watch chicks hatch in the incubator exhibit. While in the building, be sure to check out the goats and giant pumpkins and squash. Even as a college student, I have to admit I took a detour through the building to greet the animals.
One of my favorite parts has to be seeing all of the local vendors line the streets. They sell everything from unique gadgets to handmade jewelry and art and from many different cultures. While some booths might seem random, The Big E is truly an incredible way to highlight craftsmanship from all around New England.
Finally, the concerts. Each year brings a mix of big-name musicians, up-and-coming local artists and other well-recognized acts. This year, headliners included Foreigner, Cole Swindell, Busta Rhymes and Rick Ross, among others. Although many of the shows have passed, rounding out the concert lineup this weekend is The Band Perry on Sept. 25 and Train on Sept. 27.
The Big E is loud, chaotic, and sometimes overwhelming, yet every year people look forward to experiencing it all over again. If you visit, be sure to head in with an open mind and an empty stomach. Before you head out, find the Ace Hardware giant yellow slide – for only $2, it will easily be the most fun part of the day.
Photo by Patrick Fergus/The Student