Great venue A lot of thinks to do My favorite was the walk thru the estates that form New England region and learn about each area, indulge with the food and drinks offered and walk among the art crafts and find some live music performance Fall weather was perfect and we find a lot of nice things to take home My first visit and definitively not the last read more

My favorite festival ever !!! They literally have anything and everything !!!!!! For the price of admission and what is included like how many things to do there is it's so reasonable. It also includes an amazing circus. read more

The Big E - Horse - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - West Springfield, Massachusetts

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Big E live blog: -Rainy weekday afternoon crowd levels are robust. -Don't miss the Rhode Island Clam Chowder from Blount's in the Rhode Island building. -Of course I was curious about the long line for the Maine baked potato ($8, cash only). Quite an elaborate snack. -I'm slowing down my food pace so I don't fall asleep before the Sister Hazel show at 8. -Fried butter is fine if you want to say you had fried butter but you can skip it. -Smoked salmon in the Maine building was great. More surprising is that I also enjoyed the "Big Sexy" combo at Broccoli Bar. -I like the efficiency Farm-A-Rama, sort of a greatest hits collection that has some animals like goats and alpacas, giant pumpkins and local apples on sale for 50 cents each. -Sister Hazel did a fine job on their one major hit and also tore it up with a couple of cover tunes. You have to like a festival that books Chubby Checker (Friday at 2) and Queensryche (Sunday at 8). read more

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The BigE is our favorite Fall event to attend! This year we visited during the first weekend and wereabout to catch several of the farm animal judging events. At this fair there is something for everyone here. My standard is the cream puffs, egg clair and Maine bake potatoes! Piggies races are always fun and the petting zoo is worth the crowd of kids! Driving from NYC is only 2.5 hours and return trip an hour longer. My recommendation is park a residential driveway across the street from Entrance gate 4 & 5. They charge anywhere from $25 right across the street from the entrance to $10 half a block farther down the street. read more

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Speechless! My first time here this year and "sensory overload" is an understatement. This fair is like its own planet where you can buy anything under the sun from home decor, handmade gifts and hot tubs to massages, cars and vacations. There are carnival rides, farm animals and concerts you can attend. It is just as wild as it sounds! And the food!! I saw many interesting things such as foot-long mozzarella sticks and "loaded" fries topped with mashed potatoes. What I actually ate was pierogi from Millie's pierogi and mini apple cider donuts from The Donut Family. Being a Polish girl, I can confirm the pierogi were legitimate (which is hard to find) and delicious. The mini donuts were truly unbelievable!! They gave us a sample to try and then we ordered a bucket of them! The dough was so light and airy that they tasted almost hollow in the middle. I've never had a donut like it! We will likely be back at this event in the future :) read more

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Big E is okay While it's really crowded at most times, it's still somewhat an enjoyable experience. The food is really expensive but they have a good variety of unique dishes to choose from. I ran into a few interesting people that I know of at the Big E. The animals at the gate are cute and the quilt displays are impressive. I would say that I had a really good time at the Big E last Sunday which was a once-in-a-blue moon experience. We've got better fairs with solid food, games, and more that is right around where I live. read more

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Last time we went was ten years ago. I only went this year because my son wanted to experience it. We spent $70 to enter and $400 for food/drinks inside. Nothing special, just fair food and it wasn't that good but we were there for 8+ hours. Lots to look at. I don't like the petting zoo or how they have animal rides because those poor animals look so sad. The rides itself were great. I got an unlimited wristband ride for my son for under $40 so he had a blast. We spent most of our time in the rides area for him. There are not enough restrooms around. The ones we used were super dirty and the floor was wet. I don't miss being here and I don't want to return. More importantly, my son said he doesn't want to return either. read more

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Another year down in the books! This was the first year we came during the evening. This year we focused on food and getting all the little snacks. Of course we had to support another local vendor Oh My Ganache! If you haven't heard about her, go check her out. She makes amazing cookies, pastries, and another sweet treats. She even made my wedding cake! read more

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Love our yearly visit to The Big E! This two week September fair of all six New England states is one of the best around. This year's Big E was pretty awesome! The food is always a highlight, and if you shop around you can usually find delicious and interesting options at not too outrageous prices. This year I enjoyed a Maple Creemie from Ferrindino Maple, a Loaded Baked Potato in the Maine building, a glass of wine from Tavolo in the Rhode Island building, a slice of dill pickle pizza from Angela's, and fried oreos. All were amazing and I love trying foods that are hard to find elsewhere. This year's circus was especially good as well, with a motorcycle act, a tightrope walker, roller skaters, clowns, and acrobats, among other acts. The Midway is filled with rides and games - my favorite is the giant Ferris Wheel because from the top, you get a great view of the entire fairgrounds. Pro tip: Try to go on a weekday. The Big E gets extremely crowded to the point where it isn't fun anymore on the weekends. I went on a Tuesday this year and it was busy, but not wall to wall people. Be sure to visit the buildings for each New England State, the Mallory building for viewing farm animals, and the vendors in The Young Building and The Better Living Center. Also check out the entertainment schedule - on many nights there are concerts included with your ticket. The nightly parades are also fun. The Big E is a great fair to experience - be sure to go! read more

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My favorite annual tradition The Big E is hands down one of the best fairs in New England! It's not just a fair--it feels like a tradition and a celebration of everything New England has to offer. The Avenue of States is a must-do--you can "visit" all six states in one day, each with its own unique flavors and specialties. From lobster roll in Maine, maple treats in Vermont, and of course, the famous Big E cream puff. The food is endless--fried dough, giant turkey legs, tacos & many many more.--you name it, they've got it. Between the live music, parades, farm animals, rides, and exhibitions, there's something for everyone, whether you're a kid or an adult, or an adult looking to unleash your inner kid! The fairgrounds are huge but well laid out, and even with the big crowds, it's surprisingly easy to navigate. What really makes The Big E stand out is the vibe--everyone is just out to have a good time, and you can feel that energy everywhere you go. It's an annual highlight and something I'd recommend to anyone, local or visiting. If you want the ultimate fair experience, The Big E in Springfield is the place to be! read more

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I've been going to The Big E for the past 6-7 years, and while it can be pricey, I've learned it's really about the experience. This year, I went on a Wednesday night, after 6 PM, and it was perfect--no lines at all, which made everything so much more enjoyable. Food-wise, I finally tried the Maine baked potato and it was absolutely worth it--a solid 10/10 and surprisingly cheaper than many of the other options. Other highlights: Cider Donut from the Down East Cider stand, cheese curds, a Samoa cookie caramel apple, and steak tips with crushed potatoes. Everything was fresh, tasty, and definitely something you can't get every day. Yes, the fair is expensive, but going during the week and treating it as a special outing makes it well worth it. My advice? Forget the cost for a night, go for the experience, and try at least one new food each time you go. You won't regret it. read more

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A tradition every year for us. We went twice and was pretty busy each time but just doesn't feel the same as it once did. We did however get to try some new items they had! It also wouldn't be a complete trip without seeing the annual Cabot butter sculpture, iykyk!! read more

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The Big E is always a family favorite! We had a great time this year walking through the houses! The only downside was the parking staff. Usually parking is a docile process, this year most of the parking staff yelled at cars as they were trying to park and/or leave. While arriving the parking attendant yelled at us for cutting the wheel to the car, and while leaving we were yelled at not to go a specific way only to watch several cars make the same turn we were going to make. There are no signs and a lot of yelling. We most likely will not be parking in the Big E Lot next time we go to the fair. read more

The Big E - The Smackaroon - Marshmallow and chocolate in a graham cracker (?) macaroon shell. - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - West Springfield, Massachusetts

Visit during the week, during Ct day on a Tuesday. Arrived around noon, not too bad for traffic, not too busy inside but got really busy within the hour. It was fun to take the little train for a ride. I just wish I took it as soon as we got in , just so we can see where everything is located . So many food choices, and drink choices. You get easily get overwhelmed . We enjoyed our beers, a mango and blueberry flavored, with cinnamon sugared rims. (look at the picture for the location). The polish bomb burger was different and tasty with really well seasoned fries. ( near gate 9) . The Ct baked potato was good and served in a nice and fun atmosphere! I also enjoyed my really good and refreshing blueberry lemonade from Maine pavilion! I just wished the pavilions were bigger with more walking space and better ventilation. We had lots of other food and drinks, but these were my top choices. Bring lots of money and patience! read more

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What's not to love about the Big E Fair. It's the biggest fair in New England, runs for 17 days, and attracts over 1.6 million people. Some of many attractions are carnival rides, crafts, all kinds of new and different exhibits, agriculture livestock, giant vegetables, 4-H exhibits, farmers market, plenty of live music, and big name stars in concerts.There is a massive amount of food choices. Let just say anything imaginable or unimaginable is deep fried here. Yes you will probably hit traffic, be in long lines, and complain about the cost of everything. But it's worth it. read more

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The Big Big E is the world's only multi-state fair, including all six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; with a building dedicated to each. You can find vendors from those states all around selling different type of goods, there's also a carnival with rides, a circus, farm animals etc. Been coming here for years, it's held for 17 days every year from another the 2nd Friday in September to the last Sunday. I recommend bringing cash. I always park in some one's lot outside for an easier exit. I would avoid the last day, as it gets extremely crowded with long lines. I also recommend coming earlier in the day and on a weekday if you can. Coming here has become a family tradition that is loved by members all ages. read more

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Big E is always fun. Plan enough time to see all the venues. Also look ahead and to find great bands that will be appearing. We went on a weekday and in the morning parking close by can be about $10 for all day but later in the day it will go up when the crowds come. read more

It was fun and I go every year. Only issues is I did buy ride pass but couldn't ride anything because I go alone and they told me I can't be alone and I suggest go with bigger family three or five people and they say they can't do that. So if your alone or part a family of three or five or even party three or five then I won't recommend ride past but I recommend rest big E. Great games,great art, great historic places, great food, great shops. read more

I like the big e! It was super fun to bring my mom to her first Avett brothers concert last night. The concert tickets were well priced and included entry to the fair. The fair is huge/crazy busy but it seemed like everything went pretty smoothly in terms of crowd control. The concert was intimate and everyone was having a good time. I really like the state museums, it's something different that they don't have at other state fairs. Traffic is always nuts but it was very organized this year and we really didn't wait long at all. My only complaint is the prices for food. You could easily spend $100 on just a few items. I saw that they had one day of $3 samples and I wish they would offer that more often. read more

We came from Montreal, Canada to attend the Big E fair on Saturday September 28th, 2024. We've been to lots of local fairs but love larger American venues for the whole vibe, food and entertainment. We've gone to the New York State Fair several times in Syracuse, along with the Texas State Fair in Dallas so have an idea of what makes a fun time. The Big E is a new favorite - I love that it wasn't overwhelmingly large and easy to walk through in a couple hours. We came around opening time 10AM to ensure good parking. We parked in the fair's lot, which was $10 cash only. We noticed other businesses on the main road next to the fair also offered parking, from $15 all the way up to $30, in case you couldn't find a spot. We bought our tickets in advance online, which were $16 otherwise at the gate it was $20. The rides are an extra. We grabbed a map and just started walking our way through the whole site, there's plenty to see, try and taste. The buildings for each states are a main attraction and these were extremely packed. It wasn't even noon yet and we could feel the crowds just increasing, some parts are hard to walk through. Many lines were forming for food stalls - sadly we did not want to wait for these and the prices are quite high, like most fairs nowadays. Going to the Big E isn't a cheap experience, but it's a beautiful place and ideal to get your steps in, people watch and just be outside. I really liked that this fair takes place at the end of September so you can usually get good weather, many other state fairs occur when it is just too hot to spend a whole day. The Big E has plenty of restrooms at almost every corner, lots of seating options and shade - there is greenery and trees which really helps. I've been to other fairs that seem to have a lot more sponsors handing out goodies and promotional items, I didn't notice much of this at all here. Sometimes it can be fun to get a free tshirt, water bottle, etc. If you are in the area, I would think this is a must visit. We made the 5 hour drive and benefited from a whole weekend of other activities in the area, like the MGM hotel and casino. It was a fun time - there's something for everyone. If you can make it on a weekday, this will probably be even better to beat the lines. read more

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A foodie's dream! I have always had a great experience at this fair and love all of the food and drinks offered. Every year feels like a brand new experience. Plenty of free shows and live music to enjoy, as well as an area dedicated to carnival rides and games. Week days are obviously better to avoid any crowds, but I have never had an issue on the weekends. There are lines, and crowds, but nothing too overwhelming. read more

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This place used to be good. This year it took 3 hours to get there from the exit of the highway to parking. Which should have been a 15 minute drive. All of the people charging for parking outside of the place where charging $40. Once I got in there , there were long, long lines for everything! You could barely move in that place! It was very overwhelming. I have gone every year and usually I love to go, but this year was just too much. The bathrooms had lines that were about a 30 minute wait. Every single bathroom. When you went in there there was toilet paper all over the floors the bathrooms were disgusting! There was no toilet paper to actually use. They had people who worked there standing there doing nothing. The Garbage pails around the whole park were overflowing into the ground. Everywhere you walked you were stepping on trash. I go every year to get the alligator burger. That was absolutely delicious as always but the line took forever. And I was a little disturbed about the person handling the burgers touching her phone and then touching all of the food with the same gloves, and the guy who was giving the fries eating them and then giving them at the same time. The venue was supposed to close at 10:00 p.m. but they closed all the state houses by 9:15 so I had no time to even do anything after standing in a line for alligator burger and a baked potato and the bathroom. I was able to see one shop on the way to take a picture in a cowboy hat and grab a cider on the way out. I will not be returning to this even on a weekend. Maybe I will try again in a week night to hopefully have a better experience and maybe a little earlier but if the bathrooms and fairgrounds look as dirty and uncared for as they were last night, it will be my last time going. read more

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The big E! Is massive. If you have not seen it, you really should. It is a huge huge fair with rides, animals, inventions, food etc. read more

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The Big E is an annual fair in West Springfield, Massachusetts, which opens on the second Friday after Labor Day and runs for 17 days(if you didn't know now you know lol)This year it was from 9/13-9/29. My fave part of the Big E is the food (of course lol) & the Avenue of the States. The Avenue of the States are building replicas of the 6 original New England buildings(Massachusetts,Connecticut,Maine,Vermont,New Hampshire, & Rhode Island). In each building,there is local food & vendors. I came w/ my sister & her 2 daughters. We came on the last Saturday 9/28 b/c we both had plans the previous Saturdays. I hate going on the last weekend. This isn't my 1st rodeo. I always try to get here every year. Last year, I went on the last day & it was chaotic so I knew what I was getting myself into. I didn't get to eat a lot of food last year. Unfortunately, this year neither b/c I wasn't very hungry. We wanted to hit up Angela's 1st for their giant mozzarella sticks(we missed out last year).Yes,I've tried it before & it's delish!It didn't disappoint. I wanted to try the pickle pizza slice. I didn't like it. It was drowned in ranch sauce. I am not a fan of ranch. Not to mention the cashier was rude. Then we hit up the Avenue of the States. We went in order. Connecticut had Fascia's chocolates. I ordered a chocolate covered chip (it had caramel in it as well sooooo good)for me & chocolate w/ peanut butter for my nieces. I also had a pickle shot. It was actually pretty good & refreshing believe it or not. In the Massachusetts building,they had Spanish ppl. Selling limber(icy in a cup). I ordered the coco(coconut). It was mediocre & too sweet. That means they put too much condensed milk. That was a bummer! I wish I had taken more pics! I will be back next year but I'll go on a weekday or 1st sun. In the CT. building I also had a pickle shot. It was actually good. to beat the crowds! read more

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Big and crowded lol. Overall the experience is fun going into all the state buildings . As CT resident our building flat out sucks too Corproate looking like we rented a hall and placed vendors there unlike the other states. I personally could design a better layout for us ; we claim to say we're the pizza capitol of the US yet we had nothing in there to say that lol. Besides the let down of my states building the farm animals I saw were very cute and adorable and the vendors in the different buildings gave a great opportunity to support small businesses. read more

The Big E - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - West Springfield, Massachusetts

Had so much fun at the Big E! I see people go every year and finally made it there myself this past weekend. I was worried it would be over crowded and not worth the 2 hour drive but I was indeed proved wrong. There are so many fun things to do including petting zoos, local vendors, rides, games, concerts, and of course all the food your heart could desire. Being a foodie I was determined to check off a few particular items from my list like the viral pickle pizza and the info center park employees were great at their job! Assisting everyone with a smile. Will definitely be making the Big E a yearly trip from here on out. read more

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Tips for enjoying the Big E: 1) Go on a weekday when it's about 60-70 degrees out; 2) Be prepared to get price-gouged at every turn; and 3) Bring your own water (paying $4 for a bottle of Dasani definitely hurt). We went on opening weekend and here were the lines: --Arrived at 10am. We were in stop-and-go traffic for about 20-25 minutes to pull into Gate 9, which puts you right next to the entrance for $10 (cash only). Before you turn into Gate 9, there are businesses on both sides of the road advertising parking for $20 if you feel like walking a bit extra but then it's an easier exit. --Left at 3:30pm. About the same amount of time to leave. It's really luck of the draw which lane is fastest. --The worst crowding was in the state houses towards the back of the fair. Everyone wanted to be inside. I wished we could have taken our time to explore and look at the various items but with people on all sides, we just did a quick loop through each one. Here are the foods I tried: --Dole whip. Creamy, sugary treat, extremely popular on a high-80 degree day. --Corn dog. Fine. --Fried pickles. The seasoning was akin to the magical dust on mozz sticks but fine. --Smoked salmon on a stick: do NOT miss this. One of the best things we ate. --Pierogies: also one of our favorites. Very oily but I loved the potato and cheese fillings; the chicken and beef fillings were eh. --Fried oreos. Every bit as indulgent as it sounds. --Drinks: the tamarind lemonade (extremely sugary, could only drink half); the N/A spicy margarita at the mocktails stand (much better); the cider blend at Downeast Cider (the cinnamon sugar rim was the best part); the pickle shot (they bang a drum when you down it). The food at the state houses were much better IMO than the food at the midway (unless you just really have a hankering for deep fried food). If you want a healthy option, the CT house had a Mediterranean stand with hummus, fresh veggies, and grape leaves that looked the best. After a while we were over-stimulated from how loud/crowded it was but this fair has so much to offer - livestock, live entertainment, food, rides, games, shopping, a butter sculpture, and tons of breweries (lost count of how many we passed)l. I'm glad I went, though next time, I'd pick a quieter day to visit. read more

as someone who spent every year of my childhood frequenting the big e, and hasn't been in nearly 20 years, when i was invited to go, i decided to take the dose of nostalgia. it took 30 minutes from arrival to find parking at gate 9, where we entered to 9a. perfect fair practice for less experienced: rides first, then food or shops, then games. if you win or buy anything, you won't be dragging it around all day. we purchased our entrance and ride tickets online, unlimited during weekdays but 78 tickets on weekends. we went on 2 rides which were 12 tickets and the ferris wheel was 21 tickets. i wanted to find the healthiest option for lunch. i found calabrese market and deli in the food court, where i got a caprese panini and my friend got the grilled cheese with tomatoes. not sure if there is a healthier option, but i also brought fruits on the way (tip! for those who are looking to not go crazy with the fried foods). there also was a booth with a dozen oysters for $33 which was likely the other healthiest option, although i didn't get them so not sure of quality at a hot fair. i looked up food vendors prior to coming, and the one thing i did want to splurge on was the maple cannoli at ferredino maple. until you get there, you're likely envisioning a maple creme custard cannoli, but it is not that. it's maple ice cream in a cannoli, covered in maple syrup and whipped cream. it was good, just not what i was looking for and difficult to eat. i loved their maple coffee and would have preferred a maple cone! it was very, very hot the day i came, prepare for the weather. a lot of parents with young children were leaving when we got there around 1:30pm. they have fried, double fried, everything. fun rides, games, agriculture, concerts, food galore. i love the polish pottery in the better living center. lots of souvenirs and as seen on tv merch. great place to have fun with family and friends. read more

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My daughter and I decided to come up here for my birthday weekend. I haven't been to the Big E since I was in elementary school and this was my daughter's first time. The grounds are huge with a variety of foods and vendors. As I was walking around looking at foods to eat, I really wasn't that impressed with the food selection. Everything seemed like I could make it at home. When I go out to eat or to a food festival I want to try new foods or things I wouldn't normally make at home. I decided to go with a Baked Potato with all the toppings. I was surprised by the fact it was ten dollars and there wasn't real bacon on top. Additionally, I also purchased Corn on the Cob which was okay. Nothing exciting and I just didn't get the sweet taste from the corn. My daughter ordered a Chocolate Cannoli which was delicious and I don't eat sweets. The Turkey Legs we're definitely looking good until I seen a lot of people walking around with there Turkey Leg and it still looked pink in the middle. Hikes!!! The performance we saw definitely was great and they even had me and other people dancing. The Big E was a great experience and it was great spending time with my daughter and making memories. read more

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I hadn't been to the Big E since before COVID, so we were well overdue for a visit! We went on opening day since we were coming back from our honeymoon in Maine, and the crowd was more manageable than it usually is. So many great food options as always! We felt like the state houses had really stepped up their game since we had last visited. Stand out items were the deep fried tacos, big mozzarella stick, and s'macarons. So glad I made it here this year, and look forward to returning again! read more

The Big E - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - West Springfield, Massachusetts

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Had to come on here to leave a good review of the pickle pizza from Angelo's Pizza on Commonwealth Avenue at The Big E. If you eat anything at The Big E, EAT THIS. It's a pickle lover's dream, the pizza was crispy and soft, and the saltiness of the pickles just melted in my mouth. It was also drizzled in a sauce that might have been a dill ranch. I can't wait to come back next year and have it again. The pickle pizza was the best thing I ate all day, but I had to give honorable mention to the Maine baked potato. Head to the Maine house and get in line for a baked potato, then choose your toppings. For drinks, I recommend the Cider Donut Cider from Downeast. The Big E is a New England foodie's playland! read more

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Service - typical Ambiance - great get away, so many things to do and see Food - again so much to chose from, can go wrong here. Drinks - so many great options!! Beer and hard liqour. Great bucket drink options. Location - easy to find, options to park on streets or in area read more

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If you are from New England, the Big E is a must do at least once in your life. This is the largest agricultural fair on the east coast and there is so much to-do. It runs 17 days long through September. From the food, rides, animals to live music, there is something for everyone for all ages. My favorite part are the New England State Buildings that are small replicas of each states' capital building. Inside them are vendors from the state: restaurants, wineries, breweries, crafters and more. We love going for the food too. The large cream puffs from The Big E are iconic. There are other must foods like mini donuts, the Maine baked potato, but the Dill Pickle Pizza and Gigantic Mozzarella Stick from Angela's are our personal favorites. Every year there are new "must try" foods, like 2023 was LuAnn's Bakery from Connecticut's Dill Pickle Cupcake. My best words of advice if you want to visit the Big E one year is to PLAN and BE PATIENT. Plan out what you want to do, eat, and be flexible. Make sure you have cash. The fair, food, rides, etc have been going up in price too. There will be deals throughout the year to purchase your ticket in advanced at a discounted price. The parking is outrageously difficult since the Big E attracts very large crowds, that's where the patience comes in. I recommend getting there the earliest as possible. If you don't want to fight weekend crowds, try going on a week day. I look forward to the Big E every year. Can't wait what is new next year! read more

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American craft beer @ Big E Don't eat anything there unless u don't mind disgusting frozen food & a foul mouth man that works there. He said fuck you to a paid customer who requested for a cup of water cuz the food was so salty ...only to be told that he can buy a bottle water. So when the couple decided to not buy the bottle water after spending a lot For crappy frozen fried food. The rude man that works there yelled in front of other customers fuck you cuz the paid customers decided to just leave after they ate their food. It was obvious that no one there was eating anything except drinking ....so that was a clue to how shitty their food is. And as any paid customer ... the attitude of that rude worker was not necessary but thank god the customer told him to Fuck off. Note : The polish godfather sandwich & the chicken meatball appetizers is disgusting & not worth the money. read more

It's fun but super overcrowded for a weekend. Bring cash with you as some activities take only cash. Definitely a group type of trip with your friends! read more

The Big E is an event I look forward to every fall. It's the biggest fair I've ever been to. There are so many food options, performances, displays, vendors, and more! I always love trying crazy foods, petting animals, and catching necklaces at the parade. If you're not into that, there are concerts and horse-riding shows and rides, too! There is something for everyone here. This was my first year coming on a weekday and it was so much better than coming on a weekend! While there was still a crowd, it was not nearly as bad as the weekend. I highly recommend taking the day off and walking around on a weekday if you don't want to spend as much time in traffic and lines! read more

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WAY. TO MANY. PEOPLE. I havnt been in years, but the amount of people at this gathering is literally shoulder to shoulder. And the security at the front gate DOES NOT pay attention to the metal detectors going off constantly. read more

This was probably my first and last time visiting. While it was nice to see others enjoying themselves and socializing with family, my experience felt overwhelming and claustrophobic, with people constantly bumping into each other. Parking was both a hassle and expensive. At the entrance, a photographer might encourage you to take a picture, which you can later purchase at the end of your visit. The venue features representations of different state houses from New England, making it feel somewhat like a New England flea market. If you're into roller coasters, be prepared to pay separately at a kiosk for those rides. To sum it up, expect to spend around $500 to get the full experience. The costs add up quickly. While the staff were friendly, I wouldn't come back--this place just wasn't for me. read more

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The Big E wasn't as grand/large as I initially anticipated, but I still had a great time walking around. My favorite part was visiting the the Avenue of States. Each one was great, but I'm partial to Rhode Island since I got the clam cakes and Del's Lemonade. As per typical fair shopping, the merchandise selection was rather junky and rather repetitive. Other highlights included the butter sculpture and the hatching of the chicks. It's definitely worth a visit at least once in your lifetime! read more

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Everything was going great and jolly, amazing potatoes, great fish on a stick and root beer, great cream puffs, milkshakes and other food related stuff. The only issue that makes this worse than last year and previous years was temperature including in the circus. I kid you not it was so hot we felt like we were melting in there, smoke coming off the seats because it's so hot and the smoke making it even hotter and harder to breathe at times. Truly a bad year for the circus. Thanks lemonade stand that had refills for full our thirst it would have been harder without that frozen lemonade to get me out of the super heat that was under that tent. read more