Luke Brown
Assistant Online Editor
As it has since 1916, The Eastern States Exposition, known to most as The Big E, has returned to West Springfield this September. Springfield College’s Late Night Madness club and the office of Student Activities didn’t want students to miss out on the fun, as together the two organization sponsored an event that sent 48 students to the fair this past Saturday.
The Big E is considered the biggest fair in the Northeast. In addition to Massachusetts, the fair visits Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Rhode Island.
“It’s an awesome experience,” said Springfield College sophomore Tim Parker. “If I had to pick my favorite part, I would have to say the food. It’s pretty awesome!”
In addition to the great food, the fair offers an array of activities such as crafts, agriculture, rides, exhibits, animals, contests, live music, and other great entertainment.
Parker continued by saying, “The entertainment is great as well. There’s just so much to do there and quite honestly going just one day is not nearly enough to get the full experience.”
The schedule varies daily, but this past Saturday Springfield College students enjoyed activities such as the Circus Spectacular, The Big E Grande Mardi Gras Parade, and comedian/mentalist Jon Stetson, among other things.
Lynyrd Skynyrd will head the stage on Friday, Sept. 26. Tickets for the concert starts at $29.
Perhaps the greatest enjoyment, especially for college students and large families, is that you can experience all of it for just $15 a person.
“The price is extremely appealing,” said Springfield College sophomore Rob Zullo. “I don’t think there’s anywhere else that you can experience that much fun for that little of a price.”
If you haven’t had a chance to get in on the fun in West Springfield, the 17-day fair will run until Sept. 28.