Big E Fair Opens in West Springfield, Drawing Crowds and Boosting Local Economy

Lead The Big E, one of the nation’s largest agricultural fairs, opened today in West Springfield, MA, unveiling rides, wacky treats and live events that promise a 17-day extravaganza for over one million visitors through Sept. 28.

Nut Graf Beyond classic fair fun, the exposition plays a vital economic role, funneling tourism dollars into downtown Springfield and supporting small businesses across western Massachusetts throughout its run.

Local Businesses Reap Fair Rewards

Downtown shops report surges in foot traffic as fairgoers explore nearby Main Street.
Rumspringa Books owner Brett Albert calls visitor spending “critical to local growth” for both retail and hospitality sectors.

Opening Day Highlights

Gates open at 8 a.m., with agricultural exhibits, the Avenue of States and midway rides running until at least 10 p.m. daily.
Specialty vendors debut new food creations, from deep-fried candy bars to “Shrek’s Swamp Water” mocktails topped with gummy frogs.

Agriculture and Entertainment

The Eastern States Exposition remains true to its roots by showcasing livestock competitions, daily parades and farm demonstrations. Concurrently, The Big E Arena will host headline concerts by genre-spanning acts throughout the fair.

Attendance and Impact

Organizers expect more than one million attendees over 17 days, sustaining the fair’s billion-dollar economic impact across New England documented last year.

Visitor Information

Admission: $20 for adults, $12 for ages 6-12; under 5 free; admission drops to $11 after 5 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.
Parking: $10 per vehicle.
Location: 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA. Gates open daily at 8 a.m.

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