Eastern States Exposition — Attraction in West Springfield

This was my first visit to the Big E, but I was accompanied by a friend who had been here before. We got here shortly after 9:00 a.m. The only buildings that were open were full of commercial presentations and goods for sale. One of the livestock barns was open and full of sheep and cows, and the Coliseum was open with a dressage jumping competition underway which we watched for a while and enjoyed. The buildings for the states didn't open until 11:00 a.m. and there was already a line for the Maine baked potatoes which we also enjoyed. The Maine pavilion also had $1.00 bottled water, the least expensive we saw anywhere. We visited all the States' buildings and found them moderately interesting. They also had a lot of things for sale that were very nice and unique. When we finished with those, we went to the crafts village area and enjoyed looking through all of the shops there. Overall, by the time we got back to the car, we had walked 4 miles so be sure to bring your walking shoes or rent a scooter on the way in. If you are looking for bargains, this is not the place. However, there are a lot of things on sale here you may not find anywhere else, and if you are looking for something unusual for yourself or as a gift, then you're in the right place. The food options are huge. However, we found the Maine baked potato and the New Hampshire mac and cheese, which they also had in a gluten-free version, the most popular and the best food probably in the whole place. If you're looking for your regular carnival/fair food, there are plenty of options along the midways. We stuck to water, but there were plenty of beer gardens, wine offerings, hard liquor places, soft drinks, slushies, juices, etc. everywhere. There was some drum entertainment at noon time while we were there and a main show with big names at 8:00 p.m. every night at the Shell. There was also a parade at 5:00 p.m., but by 2:00 p.m. we were exhausted and decided to go home. All we really wanted to see in the parade was the Clydesdales, but we were able to look at all of them in their barn along with the two Dalmatians, and also their wagon was there on display. I guess the big question is, would I go there again? I would definitely recommend that you go if you've never been. I'm not sure I would want to go back. I found a lot of it very commercial and I didn't think there was enough emphasis on the agricultural and creative crafts. The place that I personally liked the best was the building that had the photographs entered in competition on display along with innumerable quilts that were just gorgeous. There was another building that had more 4-H kind of things that included a mama pig and her piglets, baby chicks and eggs hatching, garden displays and flower arrangements, etc. There was a bunny rabbit area there with only one bunny that stayed hidden in a back corner behind a stump. I would have liked to see more emphasis on this kind of thing and more animals. Maybe get 4H kids who won blue ribbons in their local fairs to come and compete here. Anyway, I guess The Big E just didn't meet my expectations. Or maybe I came on the wrong day, which was Friday the 15th and opening day. We paid $10 for parking on the premises and we got tickets online for $12 each because we are both seniors. That price also applies to veterans and I believe the...

2024- A year later and not much has changed. Prices are approved robbery. Businesses allowed to charge up to 7% surcharge for credit transactions though MA state law prohibits this practice!! A single soft drink costs the same $10 as a beer. Don't think about bringing any in either, you'll be stopped by their TSA. Great new food options and some new attractions but MANY traditional favorites have been moved, eliminated or modified so crazily as to make them useless. Significant decline in vendors is blatant by the gaping holes in the buildings and avenues. It's a shame that management allows this iconic experience to age with so little grace. Several vendors who have been there for years have either been forced out by high prices or by management. It took me three days to find one vendor who was moved from one building to the other. When did this family-oriented agricultural experience turn into a nightmare visit comparable only to the "wonderful" world of Disney. The Big E - Western MA's take on Vegas pricing without all the flashing lights and slot machines. By the way, who's bright idea was it to save money and eliminate the parades with the bands and local business groups. The Mardi Gras parade is cute but should not be the only units in the parade. Half were empty most of the time and the people on board are convinced to limit the beads they throw. They cost 3/$1. Stop being cheap and encourage audience participation.

2023 The fair is an annual experience. I look forward to it all year, been going since I was born. Weather was tough this year. Wish the event management did a better job on traffic control. Very poor planning every year even with over 100 years in business. Traffic control officers unable or unwilling to make sensible detours and other mitigation. It took 2.5 hours to move 2.5 miles every weekend day regardless of time going. Prices are out of control too, far beyond inflation. Vendors blame venue price increases (rent, commissions, etc). The "value" pass was $70; a huge hike from prior years. This is admission only. $10 parking daily per car brings in millions in cash. Its a shame that an annual tradition designed to bring families and friends together for education and fun has turned into such an expensive way for leadership to rake in...

Nice weather on the last Friday of the Fair. I had to get the Waffle Burger... BIG MISTAKE and waste of 13 bucks! It should come with a Warning "NOT RECOMMENDED FOR DIABETICS!". There was SO MUCH SUGAR IN THE WAFFLE BUN, I COULDN'T EAT IT. The Burger wasn't big enough to feed a kid... And Bacon, was almost non-existent! Couldn't eat the waffle, way to sweet. Just ate the burger, what there was of it.

SCOOTER RENTAL WAS AWESOME AND DEFINITELY WORTH THE $50 FEE. With a back injury, I NEVER would have been able to walk the Fair Grounds. We went around the ENTIRE grounds at least 3xs!

Thought about getting a Turkey Leg, but noticed how PINK they were in color. I spoke to one man eating one and he said " IT TASTES LIKE HAM!". To Me, it looked like ham. Wondering if they mold Ham with the Turkey to create a Leg... IDK

Food was normally expensive. Disappointed with the Chicken Caesar salad the Lions Club. Soft mushy croutons, Iceberg lettuce, which doesn't belong in a Caesar! $7 disappointment. I brought it back cuz it was so mushy. Replaced it with a McDonald's size cheeseburger... Bacon was see thru!!!! Very small portions. $4 fries. $6 bacon cheeseburger

Bottle of water - $3.50 !!! Cup of Beer - $11 !!! Ice cream cone - $4 !!! Donut - $9 !!!........ Larger than normal ... But, STILL

Wishing I had tried the Sirloin tips meal...

Thankful for the Great weather and friendly helpful staff throughout the Grounds.

Female Police officer helpful. Nice guy at Gate 1, Daryl...

Learned the difference between an alpaca and a llama!!!

Saw the biggest butter elephant ever!

Saw some Crazy rides, watched from a distance. Too high for me!

Caught some beads during the Parade. Gave mine to a little cutie pa-tootie there with her parents. Cutest little girl. So sweet. Easy entering, easy smooth exit. Great traffic control.

Clydesdales ALWAYS MY FAVORITE! Did you know that there aren't any FEMALE CLYDESDALES ON THE BUDWEISER...