Hold This Date!
More Info: 413-205-5041
Jeff Blumenfeld, Jamie Gribbon
Xpresso PR
203-655-1620; jeff@xpressopr.com
YOU NEED SOME FAIR IN YOUR LIFE
ONE OF AMERICA'S TOP 10 STATE FAIRS RETURNS TO WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASS
Sept. 18 - Oct. 4
James Bond Stunt Car, Sea Lions, and Free Circus, Parades and Entertainment; Sugarland in Ticketed Concert
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (July 21, 2009) - Economy got you down? Well, then, you need some fair in your life. In particular, the 2009 edition of The Big E, New England's six-state fair, Sept. 18-Oct. 4, in West Springfield, Mass.
See the Fair with a friend, a date, or best of all, see it in the wide-open eyes of a young child experiencing baby chicks, Clydesdales, sea lions, sheep dogs and enough livestock to fill a farm. Over 1.05 million people visited last year, making this traditionally one of the top 10 largest fairs in North America.
Big E highlights this year include:
* Sugarland with special guest Matt Nathanson, Oct. 2. The show is sold out.
* Free Concerts - Located in the 6,000-seat Comcast Arena: Charice, (Sept.18), Foghat (Sept.19), An Evening With Boyz II Men (Sept. 20), Lane Turner, presented by GAC, (Sept. 25), Little Big Town (Sept. 26), Jamey Johnson (Sept. 27), Bret Michaels Rock of Love Tour (Oct. 3), and Seether (Oct. 4). Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
* 007 James Bond Spiral Stunt Car Exhibit - For the first time ever, the creator of the famous spiral stunt car from the iconic movie Man With The Golden Gun, starring Roger Moore, brings his personal collection, including the original red AMC Hornet used in the movie. Sponsored by Uncommon USA.
* Sea Lion Splash - Throw me a fish! These crowd pleasing sea lions return to capture the attention of fairgoers of all ages, Sept. 18 - Oct. 4. After stealing the show, they'll "wiggle their whiskers" for the camera. Have your picture taken with a sea lion on your shoulder. Sponsored by NewAlliance Bank.
* Free Entertainment - Daily on the Court of Honor Stage, sponsored by Comcast: Stars of the Peking Acrobats (Sept. 18 - Oct. 4), Richard Street, former lead singer of The Temptations, (Sept. 18-21), Terry Sylvester, formerly of The Hollies (Sept. 22-26), "Mack the Knife" - the Music and Life of Bobby Darin (Sept. 27-30), and Thelma Houston (Oct. 1-4).
* Military Appreciation Day/Be A Kid For A Day - Opening Day, Sept. 18. Free admission for military personnel, their dependents and veterans with ID. Everyone else pays the child's price, just $8.
* Celebrate State Days - Take pride in your state: Rhode Island (Sept. 22), Connecticut (Sept. 23), Massachusetts (Sept. 24), New Hampshire (Sept. 25), Vermont (Sept. 26) and Maine (Oct. 3). Special activities planned all day long.
* Eastern States Exposition Horse Show - Saddlebreds, Hackneys, Morgans and Friesians, Sept. 17-20; Big E Draft Horse Show, Sept. 24-27; Hunters & Jumpers, Hunt Seat Equitation, Sept. 30-Oct. 4. Sponsored by Williams Distributing.
* The Big E Super Circus, the Fair's own free, one-ring, European-style circus, daily at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Sponsored by Coca-Cola.
* Shop 'til You Drop - Plenty of opportunities for Shop-O-Saurs to prowl the aisles of the Irish Exhibit in the Young Building, the Storrowton Village Gift Shop, the Better Living Center, International Plaza, Yankee Candle Shop, even browse for a new car at Chevrolet Court.
* Daily Mardi Gras Parades, sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino®. Let's hear you scream, "more beads!" Weekdays 7:30 p.m., weekends, 5 p.m.
* Yum - Over 50,000 famous Big E cream puffs will be prepared fresh on site and served by our very own "Puff Daddy," Ray Billie. A favorite summer indulgence since 2002. Life's uncertain. Eat dessert first. Combined with éclairs and chocolate chip cookies, The Big E Bakery gives new meaning to the term "sugarland."
Save with advance tickets purchased online now through Sept. 16 for $10 adult, $8 for children ages six to 12 (plus $1 per ticket service fee). Children five and under are free. For advance discount tickets and passes or more information log onto www.TheBigE.com. Advance tickets and passes also available at Big Y® World Class Markets®, Aug. 27 - Sept. 16.
Hours: gates open 8 a.m. Most buildings and exhibits are open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Editor's note: Images of The Big E are available at www.TheBigE.com. Click Photo Gallery in the Media Center.
-30-