1,633,935 ATTEND THE BIG E IN 2024, SEVEN SINGLE-DAY ATTENDANCE RECORDS SET

A whopping 1,633,935 fairgoers attended The Big E, in West Springfield, Mass., this year, setting an all-time record for net attendance. Additionally, seven daily attendance records were set during the sunny, 17-day event: Saturday, Sept. 14 – 121,854; Tuesday, Sept. 17 – 58,996; Friday, Sept. 20 – 99,912; Saturday, Sept. 21 – 178,608; Sunday, Sept. 22 – 148,297; Monday, Sept. 23 – 86,673; and Tuesday, Sept. 24 – 79,852. The middle Saturday, Sept. 21, additionally set a record for single-day attendance!
 

In response to The Big E’s success, Eastern States Exposition president and CEO, Gene Cassidy, said, “Thank You! 1,633,935 times over, thank you! This is a proud moment for everyone associated with Eastern States Exposition: volunteers, staff members, contractors, vendors, concessionaires and all who participate in the production of The Big E. This organization thrives because of you. Our noble mission remains strong because of you. This was a record-setting fair filled with many challenges, and every one of you played a role that contributed to the continued success of The Big E. What you do matters. Thank You.”
 
In addition to the long stretch of exceptional weather, a diverse entertainment lineup, delectable Fair foods, exhilarating rides and unique shopping experiences fueled the experience for patrons. 

 

---

The star-studded entertainment lineup this year included concerts at The Big E Arena, sponsored by Truly Hard Seltzer: Phil Wickham with bodie; Ludacris with DJ Capone; Umphrey's McGee with Lotus; Dustin Lynch with Dylan Scott; Diplo with Kito; America with Jim Messina; Brothers Osborne with Elvie Shane; Public Enemy; and Big Time Rush.
 
Court of Honor Stage, sponsored by MattressFirm, brought rousing acts of all genres into the spotlight: DNA Mindreaders, Siamsa Tíre, Let’s Sing Taylor, Young Dubliners, Average White Band, Chubby Checker, The Australian Bee Gees, Debbie Boone, Asia, Careless Vibez, Paul Russell, Deep Blue Something, Fuel, The Kentucky Headhunters, Quiet Riot, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, Wang Chung, Powerhouse!!!, Femmes of Rock, Slaughter, Great Southern, Andy Kim, Lisa Loeb, Matt Friend and Hinder.
 
Collector Car Live, sponsored by Uncommon Flagpoles, hosted by Wayne Carini and Mike Brewer, shifted gears into a Cruise Night this year at The Big E Arena. Special guests Steve Magnante of Barrett-Jackson and FOX NASCAR's Mike Joy joined Brewer and Carini on stage. The show featured around 100 classic, custom and collector vehicles.
 
The E Stage, sponsored by Blue Chair Bay Rum, featured local and emerging talent: Reservations at 8, Hello Sister, Charlie Marie, The New Limits, King Saison, Delta Generators, Natasha Ramos and The Casuals, Padded Waltz, Stoneface Mountain, JULAI and The Serotones, nuVos, Leon Trout, Katie Dobbins, CATWOLF, Derek O'Kanos, Rolling Nectar, Krishna Guthrie Band, Audio Jane, Natalia Bonfini, Buddahfly, J Smith & The Oddballs, Mainline, Our Common Roots, Slow Burn, River Sang Wild, Immuter, Madison Curbelo, Maddi Ryan, Jeaux, Drop Party, Elle Baez, John Spignesi Band, The 413s, Noah Richardson, DAYMEN, Jelly and LASTMINUTE.
 
Storrowton Gazebo hosted numerous variety acts throughout the Fair: Mighty Mike, Bex in Motion and Hilby the German Juggle Boy, as well as locally sourced entertainment.
 
Daily offerings were: The Big Parade, sponsored by MGM Springfield, which featured a giant cat puppet named Mardi Paws, a recently renovated U.S.A. Float and Al E. Gator, the newest float in the fleet; Circus Spectacular's Circus United; Disc-Connected K-9s; line dancing, concerts and Western-themed variety acts at Dolly’s Honky Tonk, sponsored by Boot Barn; Fritzy Brothers: One Man Circus; Mobile Glass Studios; Roaming Railroad; Children's Games at Storrowton; and the thrilling rides from North American Midway Entertainment.
 
The International Plaza in the Young Building featured world-class products. Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula Showcase brought an array of authentic Irish merchandise: Louis Mulcahy Pottery; Brian de Staic Jewelry, for a 25th year; Dingle Crystal; Dingle Distillery and more! The space also hosted the Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, including live music.
 
The Front Porch, sponsored by Westfield Bank, returned inside Gate 5 with local shopping opportunities and food. The Feel Good Shop Local Marketplace was at the heart of the Front Porch showcase.

 

---

75 new dining locations and menu options brought more flavor to the Fair than ever before. New food vendors included: Mick Express, Pickle Fries, The Nook, Dribbles, NOLA Cajun Kitchen and Raw Bar, W.A.V.E. Mocktail Cart, The Emporium, The Wine Loft, Dragons Breath, Dole Whip and Macho Taco.
 
Pre-existing locations offered new plates and beverages including: cornbread sundae; Korean corndog; Greek fries; garlic, ranch, dill, jalapeño and Cajun cheese curds; birthday cake cookie dough, served on a stick; strawberry lemonade donuts; "The Moo Bomb," a scoop of ice cream stuffed with pick-your-own fillings, encased in a customizable hardened candy shell and served in a waffle cone bowl; apple cider pulled pork grilled cheese; blackened chicken mac and cheese bowl; "The Quad Father," four cheeseburger patties, bacon strips, pickles, house sauce and fried onions; a new and improved Craz-E Burger, now with two full donuts serving as buns; and much more. An ever-growing online list of gluten-free and vegan meal options allowed all kinds of diners to enjoy in the fun.

The Big E Cream Puff flavor of the year, cookies & cream, proved a hit! Like the classic Cream Puff, the limited-edition flavor could be accented with chocolate ganache. The Big E-clairs remain a fan favorite, too.
 
Three-Buck Bites was a huge success; on the first Monday of the Fair, West Springfield Day, more than 100 participating food vendors offered special menu items for $3. Plates varied from small portions of popular dishes to full-sized items at the discretion of the seller, all at a reduced price. The event proved to be the perfect way for fairgoers to sample everything they were eyeing.

 

---

ESE hosted competitions for dairy and beef cattle, sheep, horses, alpacas, llamas, swine, giant pumpkins and squash, and more. This was also the first year that The Big E hosted a Boer goat contest. There were five national dairy cattle shows and five national sheep shows.
 
The 4-H Beef Grand Champion Steer, also the Heavyweight Champion, was raised by Henry Skuza, of N.Y. The Barn Yard purchased this steer at $16.50/lb., as well as two other steer and two gift baskets. ESE purchased the Overall Grand Champion Steer, raised by Matilda Gervais, of Mass., as well as the 2nd Place Mediumweight Steer, raised by Zoey Violette. Overall, 32 steers sold at an average of $6.45/lb. Auction sales totaled close to $270,000 a 30% increase from 2023, rendering the 4-H Beef Sale a success.
 
Thousands of 4-Hers & FFA youth participated in competitions and demonstrations. The Eastern States Farmers Market and Wine Barn offered fairgoers a variety of agricultural displays, cooking demonstrations, samples from The Big E Northeast Gold Wine, Cider & Perry Competition, wine slushies and cheese plates in the Wine Café.
 
The Eastern States Exposition Horse Show took place in the Coliseum throughout the run of the Fair. The facility hosted the $15,000 Hunter Classic on Opening Day. This year kicked off with a recording-breaking 65 entries. The winner was Merando, ridden by Johanna Hyyppa, of Granby, Conn., and owned by Gemma Eggleston, of Suffield, Conn. The Classic was followed by the $3,000 USHJA Handy Hunter Challenge; of 23 entries, Brinley Farr, of Coventry, Conn., emerged victorious. The Saddlehorse Show, a new class was offered: the $5,000 Driving Battle of the Breeds, won by Ultimate Charm; owner, Diana Billing-Kressley; and trainer, Rodney Hicks. The $5,000 Battle of the Breeds Hunter Pleasure had 18 entries and was won by owner/rider Alexa Rahman and her horse, EKL Assets Vision, trained by David Champion.
 
For the first time, the Draft Show offered halter classes, sanctioned by the North American Classic Series (NACS), in addition to the Haflinger and Hitch Pony Classic Series Finals. The Ladies Cart Final was won by Brittney Miller of Briarwood Draft Ponies, of Cromwell, Ind. Darin Miller, also of Briarwood Draft Ponies, won the Pony Six Championship. Gerald and Melissa Allebach, of Windermere Farms in Spring Mills, Penn., won the $7,500 North American Classic Cart Series Regional Finals. Lastly, Ames Percherons, owned by Ames Construction and driven by Travis Shaw, of Jordan, Minn., became Grand Champion of the $50,000 Six-Horse Hitch Show.