A marching contingent at the Westfield Day Parade at The BIg E. (Photo by Don Wielgus)
WEST SPRINGFIELD- The Big E fair has come and gone, but not without breaking a few records along the way over the course of the 17 day run.
The Eastern States Exposition Fair broke the record for highest attendance with 1,629,527 people, despite a relatively slow start on the first weekend. That breaks the previous record set last year of 1,543,470 people. On Sept. 21, the Big E also broke the record for highest attendance in a single day with 176,544 people attending the fair.
The fair featured much of what one would expect, such as the iconic and weird foods, while also bringing in some new attractions such as the Nintendo Switch exposition on the final weekend and adding chocolate ganache to the Big E cream puff.
Concert headliners included Carly Rae Jepson, Foreigner, and Sugar Ray. A concert featuring the formerly viral Mason Ramsey, otherwise known as the “Walmart Yodeling Kid” reportedly drew large crowds to the Court of Honor Stage on Sept. 28.
On Sept. 26, the Big E hosted “Salute to Westfield Day” which featured marching groups, local officials, and prominent citizens from Westfield.
Dick Tefts of Westfield discusses maple syrup with Serena Zononi of Williamsburg inside the Massachusetts Building at The Big E Sept. 16, 2019. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
“Westfield Day at the Big E has always been well attended by residents. From the Students at all of our schools, to the larger than most City Parade, to the meeting up with friends we haven’t seen in a while, Westfield Day is always a good time.” said Mayor Brian Sullivan, “I appreciate the fact that residents flock to the Big E to celebrate and have some much needed family time.”
Salute to Westfield Day was dampened by rather heavy rain throughout the day, but that did not stop many families from enjoying the fair with their kids donning Westfield gear. That day brought 78,017 people to the fair.
The sights are now turned to the preparation for the Big E 2020, which is only 352 days from now. The 2020 Big E will run from Sept. 18 to Oct. 4.
