We moved back to New England about twelve years ago, and every year, we’ve talked about going to the “Big E” – the Eastern States Exhibition. It’s like a State Fair times six.
For two weeks in September, the town of West Springfield, Massachusetts hosts exhibits from the six New England states. There are featured state and theme days, an amusement park, a huge number of food concessions, and everything else you would associate with a State Fair.
We finally made it this year.
The Big E site is a permanent venue. Each state has its own building, and there are a variety of other permanent and temporary exhibition halls and booths.
Vermont State building and some of the wares inside
The theme the day we went was the National Grange. This means that there were lots of 4-H and farm-type exhibits featured, and blue ribbons awarded.
Pumpkin and woolen products award winners
Sheep judging
Raw wool and wool spinning demonstration
Butter sculpture – who knew?
Some of the many craft displays
There were also exhibit halls full of household goods, clothing, and other products made throughout New England, parades led by clydesdales pulling carts, and a recreated New England town square, complete with old houses, a museum, and a tavern.
All in all, a great way to get a flavor of our little corner of the world, displayed for children of all ages – and they’re already planning for next year. If you’re in the area, come enjoy New England on display!
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This post was written in response to a Travel Theme challenge from Ailsa at wheresmybackpack. This week’s theme is On Display. To learn more about the challenge and to see the exhibit posts from other bloggers, click here.
An exciting series of display. I enjoy going to places like this. So much to see and discover.
There really was a lot to see!
What a great fair! Thanks for sharing the photos – I feel greasy just thinking about that butter sculpture
To say nothing of some of the foods in the concessions!! Thanks for your visit and comment!
What FUN! We love New England . . . dad grew up in Vermont. Pancakes aren’t pancakes without VT Maple Syrup.
You’re so right! Thanks for the visit!
I’ve always wanted to see a State Fair but I missed the one for our state this year. But this one seems to be real big! I noticed the gargantuan pumpkins.
There were all sorts of veggies and animals, among other things – quite an event!
I love to visit these kinds of exhibitions. Your photos represent the New England States very well. I felt as thought I was right there.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thanks, Francine. It was a great day.
This is a fun post, I had never heard of butter sculpture before.
It was pretty cool!
Oh that looks like great fun! Once my husband retires and we have the time, this is the kind of thing I’d love to have on our “list”!
Good for you!
Now that’s the type of thing that attracts me… where all things bright and beautiful are displayed… sounds great…
It was wonderful – we were surprised by some of the things we really enjoyed!
Great photos, looks like you had a great time!
Thanks – it was a great day!
I enjoyed visiting the fair vicariously through your photos. Butter sculpture – What?
I know – it was on the fair map, so we went and found it! You’d think I’d know about such things – I grew up down the street from a dairy farm – but I was amazed!
Wow, what a great way to put New England on Display. I enjoyed the photos and the information pertaining to those photos. I think this is a Great post!!
Many thanks – we had a really good time there!
And to think that we Minnesotans thought our State Fair had unique rights to the butter sculptures! It does look like a mega-State Fair — what fun! ~ Kat
We’d never seen a butter sculpture before – what a hoot!
It’s a new one on me, too!
http://travelgardeneat.com/2012/09/03/one-in-164694-people-a-day-at-the-minnesota-state-fair/ — you can see a photo of the “butter heads” at the MN State Fair in this post, if you’re interested — they carve the dairy princesses’ likenesses in butter every year!
What a fabulous post – a lovely view of your fair – and the butter sculpturing! Thanks so much for sharing this!!
Wow, good to know since we are just around the corner of the Exhibit place, well, same state corner at least.
We enjoyed the crafts and permanent buildings most, but it all was fun – we’re thinking of taking a grandchild or two next year!
Awesome outing… and that butter sculpture is fabulous! I haven’t been to a full fair in ages and would love to attend one.
Thanks, Elizabeth – we felt like big kids!