I know all about fairs-local, county, state, etc! However, I'd never been to a fair that brings SEVEN different states for one big exposition! The Eastern States Exposition, otherwise known as The Big E, is a near three-week long fair that showcases all the wonderfulness of New England and its states.
Brooke and I made our way to Springfield, MA on a Sunday, the very last day of the fair. We were able to meet up with the Brown family and have some local guidance to the exposition. We visited the Brown family's goats, watched some sheep shearing demos, saw the butter sculptures, walked through trade show buildings, and enjoyed the parade at the end of the day.
The parade was one of our favorites as it was filled so many historically influenced groups. Also, there were groups with music or candy and even floats that the people threw out bead necklaces!
Besides the parade and other activities, B and I found the individual state houses to be super wonderful. Each New England state has its own building that they can dedicate all of their specialties and products from their state in one place. Rhode Island is known for clam chowder, Massachusetts Dairy Industry offers tasty soft serve ice cream cones for $1, and New Hampshire has some of the best Kettle Corn. Because each state is rather small and they all have similarities, many of the booths offered comparable products. However, each state also had very different selections to promote that were unlike the others!
You can barely tell, but they are making the corn in this little gazebo in a big drum using a wooden paddle!
One of the big differences about The Big E compared to fairs in the Midwest was the small part that 4-H, FFA and agriculture had during the exposition. After combining seven states, one would think that there would be a plentiful of youth programs and animal projects represented. There was a nice building dedicated to the animal shows and another for crafts, sewing, photography and other projects. Agriculture and the youth of New England were represented, however, there could have been so much more!
Of course though, B did find a great friend in this wonderful gal who'd just been freed from her heavy fleece. W thought she looked best after her wool cut with bunny ears!
Oh, and B and I milked one of the Brown's goats!
It was a great day at the fair! It was a new experience and definitely a fun one!!
