Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, we had our annual Allegheny County Fair; junk food, popped corn, biggest pumpkins, livestock, there was a Westinghouse monorail exhibit that whisked you around a one mile loop on the fairgrounds, free COCA COLA (this was manna to an 8-year old, Iron City brewing had free Iron City beer for dad), and Heinz Pickle pins (this was outside Pittsburgh, home of H.J. Heinz) and I remember the BUNNIES! A lot of rabbit breeders showing off their broods.
Those days and that fair ground are long gone, but as a transplant to New England in the mid-80's, I discovered "The Eastern States Exhibition", affectionately known as "The Big E!". Since I introduced my husband to it in the the early aughts, it has been an annual journey from Rhode Island to West Springfield MA ever since.
Butter cow!
The regions biggest pumpkins! Livestock! Butter sculptures! Shopping! And JUNK FOOD!!
They have New England State pavilions along the Avenue of the States; buildings featuring the best each New England state has to offer. Salmon and blueberries from Maine. Maple syrup from Vermont, baked potatoes from New Hampshire. Seafood from Rhode Island (we always get our Del's Lemonade from the Rhode Island pavilion) and Massachusetts. Connecticut farm stands!
Look! It's DEL'S!
It's just a blast to spend the day there. This year, the Big E! is early - September 12 through the 28 (usually runs a week later). If you are in the region, it's worth the stop. Given we have been going annually for 20+ years, we learned that weekdays are best for smaller crowds.
Just fun! Got my note today that tickets are now on sale!
Rade
2 comments:
A rural-based fair or exhibition is always more interesting that a strictly city-based one. The animals make all the difference!
A butter cow?!?!?!? Is that whole display made of butter??? All of a sudden, my stomach hurts.
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