Overview
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- West Springfield, Mass. -- July, 2008
NEW ENGLAND'S LARGEST FAIR PREPARES FOR
17 DAYS OF FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT BEGINNING SEPT. 12
The 2008 edition of The Big E will present over $1.7 million in free entertainment, ticketed concerts featuring Natasha Bedingfield, Sugarland and Fergie, as well as new exhibits, the Mardi Gras Parade, sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino, rides, crafts, tantalizing treats, animals and the best of the old and new that fairgoers have come to expect and enjoy. The Big E, located in West Springfield, Mass., takes place Sept. 12-28, 2008.
"We've created a diverse and fun-filled package of performances, exhibits, agricultural competitions and demonstrations. With headliners including Fergie and Sugarland, Jordin Sparks, LeAnn Rimes, Ashley Gearing and Jason Aldean, this year's Fair will be one of our best," said ESE President Wayne McCary.
The Fair opens Friday, Sept. 12, honoring the men and women of the armed services with Military Appreciation Day. All military personnel, immediate families and veterans with ID will be admitted free on opening day.
ROCK ON
This year's Big E will feature three major ticketed concerts on the Comcast Arena Stage:
Natasha Bedingfield - Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. with tickets priced at $30 and $20; Sugarland - Saturday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m., $45 and $35; and Fergie - Sunday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m., $55 and $45. Big E admission is included when tickets are purchased in advance of the concert date at TheBigE.com or The Big E Box Office.
There will also be plenty of free entertainment and music to enjoy on the Comcast Arena Stage: Former Bad Company lead singer Brian Howe, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m.; R&B, Hip-Hop and Pop girl group from MTV's reality series "Making the Band 3," Danity Kane, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.; Curb Records Country recording artist and Springfield native, Ashley Gearing, Sept 19 at 8 p.m.; 2007 American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.; 2007 CMA Top New Male Vocalist Jason Aldean, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.; and the power-packed Country style of LeAnn Rimes, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m.
On the Court of Honor Stage, sponsored by Comcast: Singing drummer of The Monkees, Micky Dolenz, Sept. 12-14; GRAMMY Award winner, A Taste of Honey featuring Janice-Marie Johnson, Sept. 15-19; JYPSI, four siblings mixing their own brand of Country music, Sept. 20-21; 80s teen idol, Tiffany, Sept. 22-26 and New Age guitarist and Home Shopping Network guru, Esteban, Sept. 27-28. Malo, one of the most successful and enduring Latin Rock bands in the world, will appear daily at noon and 6 p.m.
The Storrowton Gazebo will feature Mariachi Azteca Del Sol, sponsored by Big Y World Class Market® daily at 11 a.m., 2 & 6:30 p.m. (no 11 a.m. show Sunday, Sept. 21). They will also appear in the Mardi Gras Parade.
EXPLORE MORE
Come one! Come all! The Big E Super Circus, sponsored by Coca-Cola, will dazzle you with the best entertainers to perform under the Big Top. The Fair's own free, one-ring, European-style circus features headliner Sylvia Zerbini and her Horses at Liberty. The multi-talented Sylvia will also amaze you with her thrilling aerial lire act. The spectacular hand balancing of Duo Fusion and the enormous Big E Super Circus Elephants will also be on the marquee and ready to amaze fairgoers of all ages. You'll be astounded by the all-new Gagik Glass Box, and back for a return engagement, is the crowd pleasing Flying Pages. The Big E Super Circus presents three shows daily at 1, 4 & 7 p.m.
Fairgoers can also enjoy the Circus Museum, located in the Hampden County Building, featuring miniature scale recreations of circus wagons, carousels, acrobats, a side show announcer, hand-painted banners and memorabilia as well as a hand carved replica of Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus tent show in 1946. The New England Band Organ, inside Gate 4, is an old time favorite among fairgoers of all ages. New! CD - Volume 3 of the music of this spectacular instrument.
Sea Lion Splash, sponsored by NewAlliance Bank, will give you a glimpse of these personality plus, crowd-pleasing critters as they swim, darting in and out, round and round, always entertaining and a bit mischievous. Surfer Joe, trainer and host of the show, will put these aquatic creatures through their paces, bringing out their natural comedic behavior. After the show, have your picture taken with a sea lion on your shoulder! The stars of the show are rescued sea lions that could not be returned to the wild due to injury or age and now have a permanent home. This entertaining, educational show is located at the north end of the Avenue of States. Showtimes are noon, 3:30 & 7:30 p.m. with an additional 10:30 a.m. show on weekends.
Walk on the "wild" side with lions, tigers, bears, elephants, horses, tightrope walkers and more - all in this private collection of rare and exquisite circus posters dating from the late 19th century. American Circus Posters showcases more than 60 historic posters and photographs detailing the history, beauty and popularity of the American circus, from Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey to Hagenback-Wallace and even more recent shows such as Cirque du Soleil and the Big Apple Circus. Take a walk through circus history daily in the New England Center.
The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will return to The Big E to march in the Daily Parade pulling their famous red, white and gold beer wagon. Celebrating 75 years as an American icon and the symbol of Anheuser-Busch, today's Budweiser Clydesdales are even bigger than their Scottish ancestors at 18 hands or about six feet. Marvel at these "gentle giants" who will also be on display on Springfield Road throughout the Fair.
Cultura 2008, Sept. 14, is a day dedicated to celebrating the many aspects of Hispanic culture; from food to art, music and dance. Cultura 2008 will represent many of the Hispanic-American cultures that are present throughout Western Massachusetts today. Musical performances by Latin artists will take place throughout the day at the Food Court. Salsa lessons and dance demonstrations will also be presented. Be sure to stop by Sonia's Latin Grill for a taste of authentic Latin foods.
See, hear and touch the latest in consumer electronics at the 2008 JVC Hi-Def Experience! Tour. From HD TVs to digital cameras and camcorders to iPod TVs and the latest games, there's something to pull at everyone's inner techie.
Stay tuned for The Big E Daily Parade which kicks off at 5 p.m. and is joined by the Mardi Gras Parade on weekends. Authentic Mardi Gras floats, Big E contingents, animals, and bands will be featured. On weekdays, the spectacular New Orleans-style parade, sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino, takes place at 7:30 p.m. with music, lights and bead-tossing revelers. Watch for our patriotic-themed Mardi Gras float debuting at this year's Fair.
SAVOR THE FLAVOR
Back to tempt your sweet side is the one and only Big E Cream Puff. And if that's not enough sugary satisfaction, try the popular Big Eclair and Big E Chocolate Chip Cookie, made with Ghirardelli chocolate chips. All these treats are made right here in the Cream Puff Bakery, located in the New England Center. Take some home from the bakery or the new Cream Puff location inside Gate 9A
Other Big E favorites from each New England state and around the world include baked potatoes, lobster dinners, Italian, Latin, Indian and Greek specialties, maple syrup and kettle corn, fried cheesecake, and new this year, pot roast sundaes and gorgonzola fries.
For an extravagant sit-down meal, visit historic Storrowton Tavern. Heroes and Legends, a 60s-themed diner in the Young Building, and the Italian Pavilion near Flag Plaza offer casual dining experiences. While you're at the Italian Pavilion, try one of our special varieties of E-Tinis created with V-One Vodka, locally owned and distributed by Paul Kozub, at The Big E MartinE Bar.
Professional and amateur chefs will stop by the Harvest New England Kitchen Theater, sponsored by Uncommon USA/Ladderworks and Performance Food Group, where cooking demonstrations, food sampling and recipe contests will take place in the Young Building. From local celebrities including Chef Rich Camerota of "Cooking with Carando" and WMAS' "Food Dude" John Walters to the New England notable names of syndicated columnist and BetterTV Diet Correspondent Kim Bensen and Rhode Island's chef laureate, Barbara Stetson, the Harvest New England Kitchen Theater will give you the tools to become your family's chef extraordinaire. Located in the Young Building.This year's recipe contests are: Pillsbury® Refrigerated Pie Crust Pie Baking Championship, Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 11 a.m.; and Hidden Valley® Dressings "Fresh Taste for the Family" Recipe Contest Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 11 a.m.
The winners of this year's Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition and New England Regional Big E Gold Medal Cheese Competition will be on display in the Harvest New England Kitchen Theater in the Young Building throughout the Fair.
GO ANIMALS!
The Big E's roots are in agriculture and that tradition continues today by hosting competitions for prize-winning animals from across the country in the largest livestock show in the East.
For those who have not had the experience of farm life, or those who can't get enough of the outdoors, from milking cows to picking pumpkins, The Big E offers a wide variety of exhibits. Whether in Farm-A-Rama or along the Avenue of Agriculture, animal lovers will observe cows, pigs, sheep, llamas, a chick hatching exhibit and a rabbit exhibit, among many other animals.
Don't miss American Goat: A Photographic Journey through America's Growing Goat Industry daily in Farm-A-Rama. This all-new exhibit includes a collection of photos taken over a one-year period highlighting the many ways goats enhance our lives through a variety of products.
People will also have the opportunity to view the amazing work of farmers who truly have a "green thumb" and have grown giant pumpkins and squash, weighing close to 1,000 pounds. Spinning, weaving and milking are some of the demonstrations that will be presented throughout the Fair.
Woven into the little experiences that make The Big E memorable are traditions that have been a part of The Big E for many years. The Eastern States Exposition Horse Show is an A-Rated show which features Saddlebreds, Morgans, Hackneys and Friesians, Sept 11-14 and Hunters and Hunt Seat Equitation Sept 17-21. The Big E Draft Horse Show, Sept. 25-28, features the $31,000 Big E Six-Horse Hitch Showdown.
CAPTURE THE PAST
Storrowton Village Museum is an authentic reconstructed 19th century New England village arranged around a classic Village green. Special activities planned on the green for the Fair include 19th century craft demonstrations, children's games and tours of historic buildings.
BE CRAFTY WITH CRAFTS
A stop at the New England Center will take you into a world of handcrafted treasures, edible and enjoyable, at the Creative Arts Show. The Exposition's annual fiber and fabric contest presents three new competitions: Cake Decorating, Sept. 16; Photography; and Felting, Fulling and Recycling. Returning for a second year, Plein Art competitors will paint a Fair scene on-site in one day (Sept. 23) with judging to follow. If you are skilled in sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, beading, decorative painting on fabric, hand weaving and other needlework, you will love this display. Winners of Creative Arts Show will be on display throughout the Fair. This year's special theme is "Landmarks of the World." Demonstrations are also held daily.
TAKE A NEW ENGLAND WALK
Another Big E tradition is the Avenue of States where each New England state capitol is represented by a replica of the original. Each building contains the native foods, products, crafts and tourist information of each state.
TREASURE THE HUNT
The Big E offers an extraordinary shopping experience. The Better Living Center is full of the latest in appliances, electronics, jewelry, clothing and specialty foods. Hampden Avenue and the Craft Common offer the serious shopper a cornucopia of creative handmade crafts and "one-of-a-kind" items. Don't wait until March to let your Irish show. Just around the corner at the Irish Exhibit in the Young Building, will you'll see the best of what Ireland has to offer, from authentic Irish linens, crystal and jewelry to music, dancing and art. Be sure to make time for a stop at the Guinness Irish Pub for a true taste of the Emerald Isle. Then continue your tour when you shop for products and specialty items from around the world in the International Plaza. Look for spas, gazebos and items large and small at outdoor booths and tents. Don't miss the Storrowton Village Gift Shop for collectibles, the Christmas Shop in the Potter Mansion and the Yankee Candle Shop in the Grange Building and in the Better Living Center.
FIND MORE...
Daily fairtime favorites include: a ride down the Giant Slide, the Mechanical Man who roams the fairgrounds with his hydraulic-like movements, Commerford's Petting Zoo, sponsored by Rondeau Ice and Dairy Bar and Early American Children's Games in Storrowton Village.
DIG THE DEALS, BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Advance discount tickets and 17-Day Value Passes - Sold online at TheBigE.com and The Big E Box Office, now through Sept. 6 and at Big Y World Class Markets Aug. 21-Sept. 10.
Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 6-12 and 17-Day Value Passes are $35 for adults and $23 for children ages 6-12.
Gate admission - Adults, $12 weekdays and $15 weekends; Children ages 6-12, $8 weekdays and $10 weekends. Children five and under are free. 17-Day Value Passes are $40 for adults and $26 for children ages 6-12. Self-printing gate tickets are also sold online at thebige.com Sept. 7-28.
Five After Five - Admission is just $5 after 5 p.m. Mon. through Thurs. - sold at the gate.
Seniors - $10 Monday through Thursday for those 60 and over - sold at the gate.
Ride all the rides any one day, Monday - Thursday, with a $25 Midway Magic Pass available on the Midway. Purchase in advance for $20 at The Big E Box Office, at Big Y World Class Markets Aug. 21-Sept 10.
Travel by bus or luxury coach to The Big E - The Big E has partnered with PVTA, King Ward Coach Lines, Peter Pan ShowBus and various tour bus companies to provide bus service to the Fair from a number of locations. All bus packages include a discount Big E ticket. For complete information, visit www.TheBigE.com/bus-it.
Big E hours are 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Storrowton Village Gift Shop and the Yankee Candle Shop are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Village Craft Area is open until 10 p.m. The North American Midway is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., weekends from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Avenue of States hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For tickets, show times and detailed information, visit www.TheBigE.com.
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Editor's Note: All press releases and photos are available on TheBigE.com/media.