New England - Big E

[maddy]

C'mon New Englanders - is it worth it? I heard about it for the first time from the plumber yesterday and no one else has ever mentioned it to me ...

Big E (http://www.thebige.com/)

[Coaster]

C'mon New Englanders - is it worth it? I heard about it for the first time from the plumber yesterday and no one else has ever mentioned it to me ...

Big E (http://www.thebige.com/)


I've never been.......... but if you're from the heartland and need to get a whiff of home..... hehe

It's an agricultural fair... and lots of organic growing information so I know I'd enjoy it... will have to go sometime!

Let us know how you like it!

[WildIrish]

My parents have gone and loved it. But they're parents...and parents are weird. ha ha

My wife took our oldest son last year and she enjoyed walking through a lot of the exhibits. She was particularly interested in the way they set up a building to represent what each New England state has to offer. She found it very informative...and she's lived in CT 40 years. lmfao

One comment she made was that it wasn't cheap. But hey, with kids...nothing's cheap! :D

I, however, have never gone. It comes on the heels of our town's big fair and to be honest...I'm fair'd out.

[Steph]

I, however, have never gone. It comes on the heels of our town's big fair and to be honest...I'm fair'd out.

Because you ate $1,000 worth of fair food, mayhaps?

[WildIrish]

Because you ate $1,000 worth of fair food, mayhaps?

You make it sound bad when you say it like that. I prefer to call it "Assuring an even distribution of wealth by means of exploring my gastronomique options." :grin:

[maddy]

So who does go to this thing every year? Not a good showing so far ... 2 for 2 on never having attended!

I admit, I'm surprised at how late in the year it happens - I'd have expected a fair to be before the kids went back to school.

[Lilith]

Just bring me back a funnel cake please.

[Winston77]

[I admit, I'm surprised at how late in the year it happens - I'd have expected a fair to be before the kids went back to school.[/QUOTE]

The reasons it is late in the year is because this is the harvest time around. and that is when most of the local fairs happen. caulk me up to one that hasn't gone yet. I was suppose to go last year but the weather was very bad and I didm't feel like walking around in the mud. I just might go this year i'm not sure yet. If you do decide to go do what W.I. said and bring the bank vault.

[wrestlemark]

but heard it was huge tent or bldg. for each n.e. state usual country stuff




but for a real great time ....i have gone to is king richard's faire in carver (eastern mass) mid evil hi jinks fun food and drink!!!! beer or honey mead mmmmmmmmm w/ strawberry plastic long steam glass too :faint: exotic animals a mud show and a king of course and jousts ..... :jump: fun !!! also pricey but get there early spend the day all in all worth it

[WildIrish]

Just bring me back a funnel cake please.



Sorry lady, we're all out of funnel cakes!


Would you like an elephant ear instead? :D

[Teddy Bear]

I have been to the Big E many times. I grew up in Mass. and as a kid we went every year. Since moving to RI I've only been maybe a half-dozen times.

I think its alot of fun, for kids and adults. There is as mentioned a building representing each New England State, very informative and fun too. Theres a 3-ring circus, the usual farm animals on display, all the typical fair stuff. They have a horse show (no idea how to spell it, Lipizon?), the budweiser horses have been there. Joey Chitwoods Thrill Show (car stunts), a parade everyday. There's always a band/singer, usually well known ones, but my memory is not so hot, I asked hubby who we've seen perform at the Big E and he said Barbie Benton (and added: big boobs), Lynn Anderson.... these were back in the 80's I guess, He couldn't think of any recent ones, he's old too, lol. You'll see wood cutting shows, 4H always has something, and theres a circus display.

All the above mentioned shows/displays are included in the admission price. There are rides that cost extra, we never go on the rides for 2 reasons, 1) the cost 2) you can go on rides anytime, we'd rather see the fair stuff.

And food!! Oh my gosh... you can buy all kinds of food! The main fair ground has the regular fair items and in each state display you can buy food from that state, ie: clam chowder from RI, maple products from VT.

I know I'm leaving out lots of things and probably not doing it justice. I would advise getting there early. And wear good walking shoes, the place is huge.

If you like fairs in general I'd say go!! This is a huge fair, plus entertainment. I think you'll have a great time!! :D

Check out the site Maddy posted... lots of info. there.

[Teddy Bear]

As a PS. to the earlier post.... I asked my kids if they liked the Big E and what they remembered....

The older one I asked in AOL instant messenger:
L: i got stung by a bee there one year I think...
L: and one year it rained sooooo hard it flooded up to my knees
teddy: lol -- yup
L: i was thinkin of it just the other day and the funnel cakes and fried dough!
teddy: me too
L: it has a bunch of stands like the washington county fair where they sell cool stuff you can't find anywhere else
teddy: yup---- many more though
teddy: you remember the circus, car stunt show, singing?
teddy: parade, state buildings?
L: yeahhhhh, lots of fun .... we going this year??

The younger one:
Remembers most of the above plus a man walking around with a monkey on a leash, a dog show, baby chicks, a cow milking demo, and finding $5.00 on the ground. (lol - her fav. memory) :D

[bigjlittlec]

i went to the big e when i was in high school, and i thought it was redneck heaven.

[Teddy Bear]

So Maddy, did you go? Or are you going?

Let us know what you thought of it please. :)

[maddy]

I've run out of time - but I do plan to go next year. As a new resident I figure it's one of the things I must do once.