Popular 17-Day Big E Festival Returns

For the end of September and the beginning of October, the 17-day Big E Festival will be hosted at 875 Memorial Ave. in Springfield, Massachusetts, according to the event’s website.

Unlike most agricultural fairs, the Big E’s website says it goes above and beyond, offering educational displays of fair animals, which can be found at “Farm-A-Rama,” as well as other daily events such as working sheepdog demonstrations, equestrian shows, and other family-friendly animal exhibits.

Last year, the event had a recording breaking attendance count of 1,498,605 visitors, the website says.

“Amidst the consumption of cotton candy and the catching of Mardi Gras beads from the costumed revelers during the parade, The Big E is also a giant classroom, filled with learning experiences for fairgoers of all ages,” the festival’s website says.

The Big E’s Avenue of States is one of the festival’s many educational and cultural features, allowing attendees to explore six New England states and what makes them unique, from Vermont cheese to Rhode Island Jewelry to Massachusetts berries, the website says.

The festival will be operating from Sept. 18 through Oct. 4, and the gates will open at around 8 a.m. daily, with events and exhibits operating from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., the website says.

Parking is available on-site for $10, cash only, for regular cars, and is $20 for full-sized campers per day, the website says.

For a full schedule of events, or more information about the festival, please visit the Big E Festival website.

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