What's New
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- West Springfield, Mass.
THE BIG E 2008 -- WHAT'S NEW?
New and exciting exhibits and events await fairgoers at the 2008 Big E Sept. 12-28 from aquatic adventures to prominent performers, and Latin rhythms to fabulous fare.
Sea Lion Splash
Gaze and giggle as Sea Lion Splash, sponsored by NewAlliance Bank, steals the show. Fairgoers will observe sea lions perform and play in a 7,000 gallon tank and adjacent pool that allows viewers to also see their underwater antics. These crowd pleasing creatures, presented by Squalus Inc. of Myakka, Florida, will capture the attention of fairgoers of all ages. The show, geared around educating the audience on the habits and nature of sea lions, is hosted by Surfer Joe. He will put these aquatic creatures through their paces, bringing out their natural comedic behavior such as catching and retrieving objects, balancing, handstands, dancing, "singing" and interacting with the audience. After capturing the audience's attention, they'll "wiggle their whiskers" for the camera. Fairgoers can even have their pictures taken with one of the stars! This entertaining, educational show is located at the north end of the Avenue of States. Showtimes are Monday through Friday, noon, 3:30 & 7:30 p.m. with an additional 10:30 a.m. show Saturday and Sunday.
Cultura 2008
Sunday, September 14 is Cultura 2008, celebrating Hispanic heritage and culture. From food to art, music and dance, Cultura will represent many of the Hispanic-American cultures that are present throughout Western Massachusetts today. Musical performances by Latin artists will include: Malo (Court of Honor Stage, sponsored by Comcast); Mariachi Azteca Del Sol (Storrowton Village Gazebo, sponsored by Big Y World Class Market®) and, in the Food Court: Neury Luciano Y Su Orquesta, Fedelay, Dulce Santana, Jesus Pagan Y Su Orquesta, Jackie Santos & Los Padrotes, Yasmina, and DJ Mambo. Salsa lessons by some of the area's top Latin dancers and dance demonstrations by Rafael Velasquez, the Salsa con Clase Dancers, LHQ Dance Force and Mary Ann's School of Dance will also be included in the day's activities.
Circus Posters
Take a peek at the past. American Circus Posters, located in the New England Center, will convey the size and scope of the American circus at its peak when multiple trains were used to transport large shows and when big tops had seating for as many as 12,000 spectators. Viewers will be exposed to circus legends such as the wild animal trainers Clyde Beatty, Terrell Jacobs, Mabel Stark and Gunther Gebel-Williams; clown Lou Jacobs; the Hanneford family riders and aerialist Lillian Leitzel. New England-based shows will also be represented including the Downie Bros., Sparks, and Barnum & Bailey. Two of the greatest and most highly promoted animals of all time - Gargantua the Great and King Tusk - will be seen in the posters as well as unique images of baseball playing elephants and somersaulting automobiles. Curator of the exhibit, Greg Parkinson, former director (1985-2001) of Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, brings his private collection to The Big E which includes the Chris Berry collection from Washington, D.C. in addition to other selected lithographs from private collections from across the country.
Budweiser Clydesdales
Celebrating seventy-five years as an American icon and the symbol of Anheuser Busch, the Budweiser Clydesdales will be a part of the 2008 Big E. These "gentle giants," known for their hauling power and confident style, will march in the Daily Parade and be on display near the Giant Slide.
JVC-Hi Def Experience! Tour
Seeing is believing according to JVC and that's why they will bring their JVC-Hi Def Experience! Tour to this year's Big E. Fairgoers will be able to poke through a pair of traveling showrooms that provide consumers with the opportunity to see, hear and touch the company's latest consumer electronics products. The tour will offer fairgoers hands-on experience with the company's line of high definition televisions and Everio hard drive camcorders.
American Goat: A Photographic Journey through America's Growing Goat Industry
Goats are playing a varied and expanding role in American culture and agriculture today, as Big E patrons will learn. Displaying Karl Schatz and Margaret Hathaway's year-long exploration through the goat industry of America, the exhibit will highlight the many products that are available locally and nationally, as well as raise awareness of issues that are important to goat owners including sustainable agriculture, heritage livestock, and slow food. Schatz and Hathaway documented in words, photographs and sound the vast number of farmers, ranchers, cheese makers, chefs, vets, butchers, circus trainers, and enthusiasts who make up this unusual slice of America. The photographs along with video will be on display for fairgoers to enjoy in Farm-A-Rama.
New Foods Sure To Please
The Big E's long list of Fair favorites, such as The Big E Cream Puff, will be sharing the "menu" with some savory new treats. Bringing a little piece of New Orleans to the Fair, Hebert's Cajun Kitchen, located on New England Ave., will offer Shrimp Etouffee, Jambalaya, Gumbo, Sticky Chicken, Bread Pudding and Red Beans & Rice. And if that doesn't tempt your taste buds, try the Sausage, Chicken or Pulled-Pork Po-Boys, Bear's stuffed Sausage Breads and a Brick of Fries served plain, with garlic butter or Cajun. Fairgoers can also indulge in a Pot Roast Sundae that takes comfort food to a whole new level. And don't miss the Fair's delightful drinks, from hot to cold, everyone will find something to enjoy including the Hurricane drink served with a lighted L.E.D glass, hot chocolate, Louisiana coffee and all of the old Fair favorites. Back by popular demand, Belgian Waffles and Belgian Waffle Sundaes will be sure to tantalize a sweet tooth.
The 2008 All-New Entertainment Line-up includes:
Comcast Arena Stage
Ticketed Shows:
* Natasha Bedingfield - Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m., $30/$20
* Sugarland - Saturday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m., $45/$35 - featuring Rissi Palmer
* An Evening with Fergie - Sunday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m., $55/$45
Free Shows:
* Bad Company lead singer Brian Howe - Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m.
* Danity Kane - Sunday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.
* Ashley Gearing - Friday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. - featuring Savannah Jack
* Jordin Sparks - Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.
* Jason Aldean - Sunday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. - featuring LoCash Cowboys
* LeAnn Rimes - Friday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m.
Court of Honor Stage, sponsored by Comcast
* Malo - Daily - noon & 6 p.m.
* Micky Dolenz - Friday-Sunday, Sept. 12-14 at 3 & 8 p.m.
* A Taste of Honey featuring Janice Marie Johnson - Monday-Friday, Sept. 15-19 at 3 & 8 p.m.
* JYPSI - Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 20-21 at 3 & 8 p.m.
* Tiffany - Monday-Friday, Sept. 22-26 at 3&8 p.m.
* Esteban - Saturday - Sunday, Sept. 27-28 at 3&8 p.m.
Harvest New England Kitchen Theater, sponsored by Uncommon USA/Ladderworks & Performance Food Group (Located in Young Building)
Food Contests
* PILLSBURY® Refrigerated Pie Crust Championship, Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 11 a.m.
* Hidden Valley Dressings "Fresh Taste for the Family" Recipe Contest, Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 11 a.m.
Watch for professional and amateur chefs, restaurants and culinary schools offer cooking demonstrations, food sampling and tips throughout the Fair.
The Big E Super Circus, sponsored by Coca-Cola, daily at 1, 4 & 7 p.m., featuring:
- Sylvia Zerbini headlines with her Horses at Liberty and does double duty performing on the aerial lire
- The Flying Pages trapeze act
- All-new Gagik Glass Box
- The Big E Super Circus Elephants
- Duo Fusion's hand balancing act
The Big E Daily Parade kicks off at 5 p.m. and is joined by the Mardi Gras Parade on weekends with authentic Mardi Gras floats, Big E contingents, animals, and bands. On weekdays, the spectacular New Orleans-style parade takes place at 7:30 p.m. with music, lights and bead-tossing revelers. Watch for a patriotic-themed Mardi Gras float debuting at this year's fair. Both parades are sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino.
Join us for New England's Autumn Tradition at The Big E, Sept. 12-28, 2008 in West Springfield, Mass. For more information, visit our website at www.TheBigE.com or call our information line at 413-205-5115.
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Editor's Note: All press releases and photos are available on TheBigE.com/media.