WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (The Big E) – You might not truly realize how unique New England is until you take a stroll down the Avenue of States at The Big E. Check out which each state building has to offer.
New Hampshire – The Granite State
Eastern States Exposition is the only place in the country that provides the ability to visit five states within the borders of another. The New Hampshire building sits at the front of the Avenue of States. Walk through the doors of the building to find statewide travel destinations, try delicious state foods and shop New Hampshire handmade crafts and other native products.
The Big E celebrates New Hampshire Day, Sept. 19. For this special day, the Granite State shows off their community with a series of events throughout the day. State day performances include: Keene Cheshiremen Chorus, 10:30am; Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio, 12:30pm; Timbre Drummers Ensemble, 1:30pm; Pressure’s On Band, 2:30pm; Gary Sredzienski Accordionist with Rick Watson, 4pm; and Nate Paul Band, 5:30pm. Stage demonstrations throughout the day include: NH School of Falconry, Mosaic Art, New England K9 Search & Rescue, and NH Off Road Vehicle Association ATV Safety. New Hampshire marching bands and contingents will also be featured in The Big E Daily Parade at 5pm.
State day isn’t the only day you can get a taste of New Hampshire! The New Hampshire Building is a great place to stop during the Fair to find unique home décor and sweets! Shops in the New Hampshire building include: ABC Alphabet Photos, Lisbon; CritterGear, Concord; Family Signs, Plaistow; Funky Rock Designs, Dover; Harvest Thyme Herbs, Dublin; McMaster Weaving, Barrington; Memory Mats Custom Name Frames, Contoocook; Ripple Pottery, Rumney; Riverworks, Contoocook; Toadstool Design, New Boston; Weeping Willow fine Arts, Hopkinton; New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Development, New Hampshire Lottery and New Hampshire Maple Producers Association.
Don’t leave hungry! Grab a bite to eat in New Hampshire from Champions of New Hampshire Farms, Fudge Folks from Mirror Lake and Mt. Moosilauke Candies from Woodsville.
Massachusetts – The Bay State
The Massachusetts Building proudly sits on the Avenue of States along with the five other New England states. Exhibitors come from across the state to display their unique products and show off what Massachusetts is all about. Fairgoers can sample delicious foods, learn information about vacation destinations and browse through the crafts and native goods.
On Sept. 18, The Big E celebrates Massachusetts Day. There will be a large number of exhibitors present to celebrate the Bay State, including: E-Z Pass Van from Mass DOT; Dead of the Night Ghost Tours; Simply Dip-Licious; Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control; Asian Longhorn Beetle & Ash Borer; Fuel up to Play 60; Department of Fire Service; MA Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation; Teddie Peanut Butter, Everett; Simply Cannoli; FMC Ice Sports; Taza Chocolate, Somerville; Six Flags New England, Agawam; and Mass. Department of Environmental Trust.
The New England Square Dancers, of Woburn, will take the front lawn of the building at 1pm and Bruce Marshall of Real Oldies Radio 1250-AM will be broadcasting live all day. Massachusetts marching bands and contingents will also be featured in The Big E Daily Parade: Six Flags’ Hearse; Plymouth Ghost Tours’ Hearse; Smokey Bear/ DCR, Play 60 van; MEMA; State Police and DCR Fire Service.
Fairtime exhibitors include: Amy’s All Natural, Wilbraham; Five Star Dips, Melrose; Hampden County Beekeepers Association, Springfield; Kringle Candle Co., Bernardston; M.J. Design Ventures, North Attleboro; Massachusetts Ag in the Classroom, Amherst; MA Conservation Districts, Boston; Massachusetts Dairy Industry Promotion, North Brookfield; MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, Amherst; MA Department of Fire Safety, Palmer; MA Farmers Markets, Waltham; MA Maple Producers Association, Inc., Plainfield; MA Office of the State Treasurer, Boston; MA Office of Travel and Tourism, Boston; MA State Grange Inc., Rutland; Secretary of the Commonwealth of MA, Boston; Shire City Herbals, Inc., Pittsfield; Springfield Armory, Springfield; Supahfans Street Wear, Boston; Thorndike Mills Industries, Inc., Palmer; Tornado Firestarters, LLC., Monson; and the Western MA Master Gardner Association, Inc., Hampden.
Get some food while you’re touring the state. Food and drink vendors in the building include: Chili Station, LLC., East Longmeadow; Finn Cakes, Ludlow; Granville Cheese, Inc., Granville; Hardwick Vineyards & Winery, Hardwick; Carol’s Original Kettle Korn, Thorndike; Koffee Kup Bakery, Springfield; New England Apple, Hatfield; Ooh LaLa Fudge Co. LLC., Peabody; Paper City Brewery, Holyoke; Pittsfield Rye & Specialty Breads, Pittsfield; Sugar D.L.’s Baked Goods, Wilbraham; and Rachael’s Food Corporation, Chicopee.
Maine – The Pine Tree State
You might not truly realize how unique New England is until you take a stroll down the Avenue of States at The Big E. The popular attraction showcases the best of each state with a huge variety of exhibits that are special to each region. Tour Maine’s picturesque destinations, taste mouth-watering foods such as the famous Maine baked potato and shop for nature-themed, handmade crafts.
Maine Day, Sept. 27, features special entertainment and activities to capture the spirit of the state. Following the opening ceremony at 9:30am, the day’s activities include: Erica Brown & the Bluegrass Experience, 10:30am and 2pm; Don Roy Trio, 11:30am and 3pm; and The Press Band, 12:30pm and 4pm. Maine will also participate in The Big E Daily Parade with Maine Day Enhancement Floats.
Fairtime exhibitors include: Alan Claude, Farmingdale; Bunting Hill Arts, Buxton; Historic Pittston Farm; Lovell Designs, Inc., Portland; Maine Aquaculture Association, Hallowell; Maine Office of Tourism, Augusta; Maine Wood Products Association, New Gloucester; and Prospect Harbor Soap Co.
Get some great eats from Maine: Hancock Gourmet Lobster, Topsham; Maine Potato Board, Presque Isle; Pizza Pie on the Fly; Rib Truck, Westmanland; Wicked Whoopies by Isamax Snacks Inc., Gardiner; and fresh blueberries from the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine.
Connecticut – The Nutmeg State
The Connecticut building, a stunning replica of the Old Statehouse in Hartford, is featured at Eastern States Exposition with the five other New England state buildings on the popular Avenue of States. The Connecticut building provides fairgoers with an authentic experience of traveling the region by featuring local vendors from across the state. The fairgoers have the opportunity to sample delectable foods, learn about vacation destinations and shop native products and crafts.
On Connecticut Day, Sept. 17, the state will dazzle the crowds with a wide range of entertainment and activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Events will include: Connecticut Ballet, 10 – 10:45am; Coastal Chordsmen, 11 – 11:45am; Wintergreen Magnet, 12 – 12:30pm; Katy Perkins, 12:45 – 1:30pm; Glamour Girls, 1:45 – 2:45pm; Mark Twain readings, 3 – 3:30pm; Second Company, Governor’s Foot Guard Band, 3:45 – 4:30pm; Lt. Governor Wyman, 4:45 – 5pm; Mass-Conn Fusion Band, 6 – 6:45pm and 7 – 8pm; and Shovel Head Band, 8:45 – 10pm. The Trampoline Place performs: 11:00am, 12:00pm and 2:45pm on the front lawn. Connecticut bands and contingents will march in the Parade, which will begin at 5:00pm.
Fairtime exhibitors include: Best Buddy Biscuits, West Haven; Birdhouse Plus, Bristol; Bovano, Cheshire; Brickenmore, Ellington; CT Authors and Publishers Association; CT Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport; CT Dept. of Agriculture; CT Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection; CT Tourism; CT State Police; CT Valley Tobacconists, Enfield; Brickenmore, Ellington; Florian Tools, Southington; HennaDancer, Meriden; J.B.C., Wethersfield; LEGO Systems, Enfield; Miss Wally Handcrafted Jewelry, North Haven; New England Carousel Museum, Bristol; Patent Art, Mystic; PEZ Candy Inc., Orange; Pumpkintown, USA, East Hampton; Terri’s Treasures, Shelton; The Connecticut Dinosaur Trail; and The Global Gecko, Niantic.
You can also find some great food and drink from the state: Bradley Taffy, Bristol; CT Farm Wineries; Frankies of Waterbury, Bristol and West Haven; Holly’s Oatmeal, Torrington; J. Foster Ice Cream, Avon; Little Acres Farm Market, South Glastonbury; Good Ole Boys Kettle Korn, Enfield; Randy’s Wooster Street Pizza, Manchester, Storrs, Southington & Berlin; Michele’s Pies, Norwalk; Papa’s Connecticut Mountain Brew, North Grosvenordale; Rosie-Blake’s Chocolates, New Britain; and Smokehouse Grill, South Windsor.
Rhode Island – The Ocean State
The Big E’s Avenue of States is one of the most popular attractions at the Fair every year. The Avenue displays the best of each New England State inside replicas of the original capitol buildings. Walk through the doors of the Rhode Island building to find seaside travel destinations, try delicious state foods and shop handmade crafts and other unique, native products.
The Big E celebrates Rhode Island Day Tuesday, Sept. 16. For this special day, the Ocean State showcases their community products and talent through a series of performances, demonstrations and special appearances. State day activities include: Book signings by Author Michael Dutton, 10am – 6pm; Stories by Jeanne Donato, 10am – 5pm; Ms. Senior Rhode Island Gail Midura, 10am – 5pm; AVENUE A band on the outdoor stage, 10:30am – 12pm and 1 – 3pm; and Square Dance Foundation on the outdoor lawn, 12 – 1pm.
State day performances outside the building include: Portsmouth High School Band, 3:15pm; Scituate High School Band, 3:35pm; Middletown High School Band, 3:55pm; and Mt. Hope High School Band, 4:15pm. These marching bands and the State Police – Governor’s Honor Guard will be featured in The Big E Daily Parade at 5pm.
On Harvest New England Day, Sept. 26, even more exhibitors will be on the lawn of the Rhode Island Building: Del’s Lemonade, of Cranston, will have frozen lemonade; Find flavored iced teas at Granny Squibb’s Iced Tea, Providence; Cured meats from Daniele International, Pascoag; Nettie’s Kettle Corn, Pawtucket, various flavored kettle corn; Rhode Island’s Dressings, Narragansett, salad dressings and sauces; and Strawberry Shortcake, Bristol.
Find out how much more the Ocean State has to offer by checking out all the fairtime vendors in the building! Shop unique gifts, home décor and sweets! You’ll be surprised how much the tiny state has to offer! Shops in the Rhode Island building include: The Magic Sceptre, East Greenwich; My Little Town, Narragansett; Sams NY System, Warwick; National Chain Company, Warwick; Cabral Embroidery, Johnston; Ocean State Artisans, Cranston and Bad Dog Tools, Bristol. Satisfy your hunger with a snack from Kenyon Corn Meal Co., Inc., Usquepaugh; Del’s Lemonade, Cranston; Lady Ann Candies, Warwick or a delicious seafood meal at Tucker Seafood, North Kingstown.
Rhode Island authors will be holding book signings in the state building throughout the Fair. Participating authors include: Michael Dutton, Sept. 12-16; Ann Marie Sutton, Sept. 17-18; Julien Ayotte, Sept. 19-20; Portia Little, Sept. 21-22; Steve & Dawn Porter, Sept. 23-24; and Jim Dyer, Sept. 26-28.
Vermont – The Green Mountain State
All corners of New England are proudly represented at The Big E with help from the popular Avenue of States. Walk through the doors of the replica Vermont capitol building on the Avenue to learn about unique travel destinations, try delicious state foods and shop Vermont handmade products from local artisans. Throughout the Fair, Vermont will be showcasing their musical talent, various demonstrations and vendors from across the state.
The Big E celebrates Vermont Day on Sept. 20. For this special day, the Green Mountain State puts its best foot forward with a series of events throughout the day. Following an opening ceremony on the front lawn, State Day performances include: Robert Resnik and Marty Morrissey performing Songs of Lake Champlain, 10:00am; Celtic Rock band, Prydein, 1:00pm; and Country Rock artist, Keeghan Nolan, 5:15pm.
State day isn’t the only day you can experience Vermont! The Vermont building has great fairtime shops where you can find one-of-a-kind gifts, home décor and sweets! Shops in the Vermont building include: Bear’s Den Carving, Townshend; Bruce Baker Studio, Middlebury; Chris Jeffrey Stained Glass, LLC, Barre; Danforth Pewter, Middlebury; Halladay’s Harvest Barn, Bellows Falls; Johnson Woolen Mills, Johnson; Vermont Bee Balm, Craftsbury; Vermont Clothing Company, St. Albans; Vermont Flannel Company, East Barre; Vermont Hand Crafters, State-wide; Vermont Morgan Horse, State-wide; Vermont Prime Emu, Brandon; Vermont Soapworks, Middlebury; Vermont Teddy Bear Company, Shelburne; and Vermont Tourism & Marketing, Montpelier.
Chow down on some of Vermont’s favorites: American Flatbread, Waitsfield; Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Waterbury Center; J & P Bonita Enterprises, Inc., Berlin; Long Trail Brewing Company, Bridgewater Corners; and Vermont Smoke & Sure, Hinesburg. Satisfy your sweet tooth with snacks from Ben & Jerry’s, Waterbury; Mother Myrick’s Confectionery, Manchester Center; Vermont Cookie Love, North Ferrisburgh; Vermont Maple Sugar Maker’s Association; and The Village Peddler, Arlington.
On Harvest New England Day, Sept. 26, you can sample products from exhibitors on the lawn of the Vermont building: Tom Knows Salsa, of Hardwick, and Gringo Jack’s, of Manchester, will be sampling and selling a fresh salsa on tortilla chips. Vermont Kale Chips, Johnson, will be selling and sampling a variety of kale chips.
In addition to building exhibitors, there will be entertainment on the back stage of the Vermont Building on weekend days from 12:00 – 3:00pm by Vermont bands.
The Big E, the fifth largest fair in North America, takes place Sept. 12 – Sept. 28 in West Springfield, Mass. For more fairtime information and updates, be sure to visit TheBigE.com and follow us on social media.