On a cool day in early fall, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in West Springfield to experience one of New England’s largest events of the year: The Big E. The legendary supersized state fair draws in over one million people over its 17-day run, with a wide range of musical talent, theatrical performances, amusement park rides, and most importantly—a mountain of junk food spectacles for all to enjoy. 

The Big E is run by the Eastern States Exposition (ESE), which started The Big E in 1917 with 138,000 people in attendance. Now, in 2024, The Big E hosts 1.4 million visitors over the 17 days, beginning each second Friday after Labor Day each year.  

Getting to The Big E is no easy task, with the bridge going into the fairgrounds always being flooded with cars, making the two-mile distance a 50-minute car ride. Arriving at the tucked-away fairgrounds reveals the sprawling festival with seas of people. 

The Big E brings in locals from all over. Caitlin Conway drove from Plymouth, Mass., out to West Springfield for the event.

“My friend Lauren told us that we needed to come for the first time and experience it. It’s freakin’ amazing,” Conway said. “The best thing I’ve eaten is the dill pickle pizza.”

Oliva Ledoux from West Springfield, also made a note of the food.

“[I] really enjoy the food … there was a really yummy waffle hamburger sandwich. It was so good,” said Ledoux. 

Pulling aside anyone walking around at The Big E, you’ll hear the same thing almost every time: “I’m here for the food.” The Big E pulls out all the stops. Some of the food-based events that the fair has cooked up this year include The Big E Bakery, Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Corn, and beer with pickles in it.    

It’s difficult to hit as many food stands as one’s stomach and wallet can hold from cheese curds to fried Oreos, clam chowder bread bowls to a “Schnitzel Sandy,” and all sorts of things you’ll regret eating the next morning. The Big E allows for fair-goers to vote for their favorite eats at the fair where a winner is announced each year.     

The Big E also has a local brewery showcase, where brewers from all over New England show off their liquor.

Leadfoot Brewing out of Chicopee, Mass., is one of the local companies that showcased their beers at the craft brewer showcase. 

“It’s a great opportunity for a small business like us to be able to get great exposure,” Chris Misterka, an employee running that stand, said. “Yesterday, we had 178,000 people walk through and get to see our brand … it helps us out in the long run when you know people see our brand and then they can recognize any stores and stuff like that.”

According to Misterka, Leadfoot focuses on creating traditional beers like lagers, ales, and stouts.

“It’s going back to the old roots of just regular IPA instead of some of these cloud bombs that people are producing these days,” said Misterka. 

Misterka said he enjoys the people watching at The Big E, but also the large crowds that come to try their product. 

“Yesterday was a complete madhouse, ” said Misterka. 

The Big E is also home to a variety of shops selling goods from all over the New England area.

Ski Haus, a skiing goods company from Longmeadow, Mass., has been selling their stock at The Big E for over 20 years. 

“We bring all of our gear from last season down here and give our customer base leftover stuff from last season, get them a great deal, and make room in our stores for all the new inventory that comes in,” said Scott Walulak, the owner of Ski Haus.    

Walulak shared his favorite part of attending The Big E each year. 

“It’s the biggest melting pot in the entire world in my opinion and it’s fun to see what’s out there,” said Walulak. 

The Big E’s line of musical acts over the 17-day span is diverse. This year, The Big E hosted Ludacris, Diplo, Big Time Rush, Public Enemy, and others. 

On Sunday, the classic rock band “America” performed at The Big E Arena, and many attending that day voyaged out to West Springfield exclusively for the show.

Peter Marleau, came from Webster, Mass., to bring his daughter to see the band.

“I saw [America] when I was 15, so that was 56 years ago and I want to go full circle,” said Marleau. 

Ken Lundberg, traveled from Needham, Mass., with his wife. They’ve seen America three times in the past year.

“I grew up with them. I was born in ’62, so we just played America constantly in my house,” said Lundberg. “I’m excited to hear ‘Sister Golden Heart.’ I do sing that a lot in the shower.”

The band performed all their classic hits such as “A Horse With No Name” and “Ventura Highway,” ending off the night with a beautiful show pleasing the crowd of fair-goers.