WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Big E is back and it’s bringing another year of memorable entertainment, exceptional exhibits, amazing fair foods, rides and shopping. With all of these attractions, the largest fair in the Northeast is ready to offer fairgoers another round of the most fun-filled 17 days of the year.
Music lovers, get ready to put on your dancing shoes. This year has a diverse line-up of great shows at The Big E’s xfinity arena and Court of Honor Stage, sponsored by xfinity.
xfinity arena
(All shows take place at 7:30 p.m. and are free except where noted.)
Sept. 15: Grand Funk Railroad
Sept. 16: Cole Swindell ($49/$39)
Sept. 17: for KING & COUNTRY
Sept. 22: Cam
Sept. 23: Smash Mouth
Sept. 24: Collector Car Experience, 2p.m.
Sept. 29: Night Ranger
Sept. 30: TWINE ($49/$39/$29; VIP upgrade, $20), featuring Lindsay Ell, 3:15 p.m., The Cadillac Three, 4:30 p.m., Parmalee, 6 p.m., Granger Smith feat. Earl Dibble Jr, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1: USA Muffler Rap Championship, hosted by Cruisin’ New England with Paul Mennett.
Tickets for xfinity arena concerts are available at TheBigE.com. Free concerts come with the option of purchasing premium reserved seating for $29, which includes Fair admission, a $15 value, when purchased prior to the show date.
Court of Honor Stage
Sept. 15 to 19: The Alley Cats, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Sept. 15: Vintage Trouble, 8 p.m.
Sept. 16: Journey former lead vocalist Steve Augeri, 3p.m.; Martin Sexton, 8 p.m.
Sept. 17: Chalice of Salvation Mass, 10 a.m.; Journey former lead vocalist Steve Augeri, 3 p.m.; Village People; 8 p.m.
Sept. 18 and 19: Forever Motown, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sept. 20 to 26: Street Beat Parkour Percussion, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Sept. 20 - 22: Spencer Davis Group (Sept. 20 and 21: 3 and 8 p.m., Sept. 22: 3 p.m.)
Sept 22: Cheat Codes, 8 p.m.
Sept. 23: The White Hut Cheeseburg Eating Championship, 3 p.m.;
The Sugarhill Gang with Grandmaster Melle Mel, 8 p.m.
Sept. 24: Sheila E., 8 p.m.
Sept. 25 and 26: Ten Years After, 3 p.m.and 8 p.m.
Sept. 27 and 28: The Lovin’ Spoonful, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sept. 27 to Oct. 1: Mariachi Azteca del Sol, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Sept. 29 to Oct. 1: Fastball, 3 p.m., The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, 8 p.m.
Sept. 30: Nick Fradiani with Carly & Martina, 8 p.m.
Oct. 1: The Machine performs Pink Floyd, 8 p.m.
The E Stage
Listen to the fresh sounds of local and emerging talent at this new musical venue on the Flag Plaza. On weekends, experience the Western Mass. Songwriters Collaborative Series, and the Masters of Music Friday through Sunday.
Get ready for a full day or more to get through the long list of featured attractions at The Big E. The fun includes the Mardi Gras & Daily Parades; The Big E Circus Spectacular; Camel Kingdom; McDonald’s Giant Slide; Commerford’s Petting Zoo; Everything that Matters in the Kitchen Cooking Show with Dianne Linderman; North American Midway; street performers and Vegas-style showgirls.
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
(Young Building • Daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
This unique exhibition recreates one of the world’s greatest artistic achievements, Michelangelo’s renowned ceiling frescoes from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, reproduced photographically and artfully displayed. The highlights of the frescoes are presented in their original size. This innovative interpretation of the timeless masterpieces can be viewed up close, including The Creation of Adam. It has previously made stops in Montreal, Vienna, Shanghai, Dallas, Munich and New York.
Eastern States Exposition: A Walk through History
(Hampden County Building • Daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
The Hampden County Building auditorium has been revamped to house the history and tell the story of Eastern States Exposition. The exhibit will feature photography, memorabilia and artifacts, featuring historic items from the Exposition’s archives, including trophies and ribbons, pennants, advertising vehicles, posters and more, plus letters from former U.S. presidents, a replica of the famed Skyride, Storrowton Village on a small scale, Brooks’ family possessions donated by the late Grace Brooks Knibb, granddaughter of Exposition founder, Joshua L. Brooks, and much more.
Camel Kingdom
(Avenue ShowPlace • Daily, noon, 2:30 amd 7 p.m.)
Prepare to be wowed by Camel Kingdom and the stars of the show – rare, blue-eyed, spotted dromedary camels. There are fewer than 1,000 of these beauties in existence. This one-of-a-kind entertaining and educational experience features 14 camels in a desert oasis habitat. Have your very own camel encounter with a photo after the show. Every day is “Hump Day” at The Big E.
Everything that Matters in the Kitchen Cooking Show with Dianne Linderman
(Outside of the Mallary Rotunda • Daily 11 a.m., 2:30 and 5:30 p.m.)
Syndicated National Radio Talk Show Host, Dianne Linderman, brings her farm-fresh cooking show to The Big E! The cooking show features three of Dianne’s healthy recipes – prepared using local produce to support our farm to fork initiative. Dianne’s show will get your family motivated to come back to the kitchen and start cooking again. Stick around after the show for taste testing.
Cars, cars, cars
Each week at The Big E brings a new group of collector, classic and custom cars that will line the grounds for car enthusiasts of all ages to enjoy. Shows include: The Antique Tractor Show, Sept. 16; Mark’s Classic Cruise Day, sponsored by Mark’s Auto Parts of East Granby, CT., Sept. 17; Pioneer Valley GTO Association, Sept. 21; AACA Connecticut Valley Region, Sept. 24 and 30; New England Auto Racers Reunion, Oct. 1; and Circle of Champions hosted by Cruisin’ New England with Paul Mennett on the Avenue of States, Sept. 23. All shows are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. Paul Mennett will also be hosting the USA Muffler Rap Championship at the xfinity arena on Oct. 1 at 9 a.m.
The Collector Car Experience returns to The Big E, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. at the xfinity arena. Velocity Channel favorites, Mike Brewer of Wheeler Dealers and Wayne Carini of Chasing Classic Cars will emcee. This one-of-a-kind automotive event features a first class line-up of vehicles from Brass Era cars to million dollar exotics, plus commentary and interviews by show hosts and car experts. All car shows are weather permitting.
There are hundreds of food locations on the grounds, from sit-down dining at Storrowton Tavern to grab-and-go sandwiches, salads and deep-fried “everything,” you’re sure to find something to fill your plate and please your palate.
New, mouth-watering foods include: Amy’s Sweet Treats’ Belgian Waffle Sandwich; Hofbrau Joe’s Burger Bomb; the West Springfield Lions Club’s Flatliner Burger; the Coffee Break’s Deep Fried Holy Cannoli; Tots-A-Lot’s Gourmet Tater Tots; the Deep South’s Waffle Chicken Bites; Pop ‘N Fresh’s Pumpkin Pie Funnel Cake; Porky’s BBQ Brisket Sundae; Burgundy Brook Café’s Sweet Pepper Bacon; Deluca’s Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich; and Hofbrau Joe’s Clam Box will offer Fried Shrimp Tacos.
The Big E is known nationwide for its impressive agricultural showcase. Open show exhibitors as well as FFA and 4-H youth from across the country travel to the Fair to participate in the largest livestock show in the East and native produce competitions. See who will take home the blue ribbon.
Mallary Complex
Get a glimpse into life on the farm with cows, sheep, goats, llamas and other livestock throughout the Fair. Watch animal showmanship and see a variety of agricultural demonstrations from spinning and weaving demonstrations in the Fiber Nook to milking cows in the Milking Parlor, sponsored by the Mass. Dairy Promotion Board. In this exhibit, see modern milking practices in action and learn about how cows are cared for by your Massachusetts dairy farmers. Don’t miss the food artistry team of Jim Victor and Marie Pelton’s masterpiece made from 600 pounds of butter.
The Big E Wine Barn
Award-winning wines from The Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition are on display in The Big E’s Wine Barn. Tastings are offered by winemakers, and fairgoers will have the opportunity to buy a bottle or enjoy a glass of wine or cider. Fairgoers (21+ with a valid ID) can sample and buy wines and ciders from throughout New England and New York.
Farm Gate Exhibit
Relax in the courtyard at the new Farm Gate Exhibit and sip local wines by the glass. You’ll also find The Creamery, with a variety of winning cheeses from The Big E Gold Medal Cheese Competition and more, as well as cured meats, jams and jellies. Bring some home to serve and take your next party to a new level. Watch as demonstrators present weaving and spinning techniques used to transform wool and fiber from alpacas and llamas into finely crafted products available for purchase in the newly relocated Fiber Nook. Can’t get enough? Mark your calendar for the Fiber Festival of New England, Nov. 4 and 5 for some great holiday shopping.
4-H Milk Booth & Apple Booth
Stop by the 4-H Milk Booth located under the Mallary Rotunda to indulge in an old-fashioned chocolate, vanilla or strawberry “Jetshake.” If you’re feeling like having a light, healthy snack, the 4-H Apple Booth in Farm-A-Rama will hit the spot.
Farm-A-Rama
Experience the farm to fork process in the Big Y Farm to Family Table Interactive Exhibit, an immersive environment that includes Hood’s Heart of It All Dining Room. Join the Naturals as you harvest the food at the farm and bring it to your family table.
Eastern States Exposition Horse Show
World renowned horse trainer and performer Guy McLean, joins the Horse Show lineup Sept. 28 to 30 and Oct. 1. Take a seat in the grandstands of the Coliseum to watch elegant horses trot, canter and gallop toward the blue ribbon in the Eastern States Exposition Horse Show, a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Heritage Competition, sponsored by Williams Distributing. Shows include: The Hunter Show and USHJA Zone 1 HOTY Finals, Sept. 13 to 17; $15,000 Hunter Classic, Sept. 15; Saddlebreds, Hackneys, Morgans, Friesians, and Opportunity Classes, Sept. 21-24. The Big E Draft Horse Show will be Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, featuring the $35,000 Six-Horse Hitch Showdown and the North American Classic Cart Series Championships, Oct. 1. Special performances include: Northeast Six Shooters, Sept. 26; Central K-9 Agility Show, Sept. 27 to Oct.1; and The 4-H Horse Show takes place, Sept. 20 to 23. You can also come to honor the fourth inductee into the ESE Equestrian Hall of Fame Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.
The Eastern States Exposition Horse Show was granted the USEF Heritage Competition Designation on July 1, 2016. This prestigious designation places the show with an elite group of Federation licensed competitions that have been established for a long period of time and have made substantial contributions toward the development and promotion of the sport.
Share this: