The Big E 2005, Eastern States Exposition --New England autumn tradition

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IT'S BIG E TIME AGAIN AS NEW ENGLAND'S AUTUMN TRADITION PREPARES TO SWING OPEN ITS GATES FOR 17 FUN-FILLED DAYS BEGINNING SEPT. 16
"Your Own Little E" theme to this year's largest fair in the Northeast
Big name stars from Gretchen Wilson to Charo and an all-new stage to watch your favorite singers, a giant midway with rides of every speed for daredevils of all ages, the largest agricultural show in the East, hundreds of handmade crafts, good eats, a character breakfast, a marriage on the midway, and the best of the old and new that fairgoers have come to expect from the largest fair in the Northeast await visitors to the 2005 edition of The Big E, which swings open its gates Sept. 16-Oct. 2.

Last year 1,096,463 fairgoers from every corner of New England and from states beyond the Northeast passed through the gates of The Big E, located on Memorial Avenue in WestSpringfield, Mass.

The theme of this year's annual Big E "Your Own Little E" focuses on the many "little"experiences from the feel of sheep's wool on your fingertips to the familiar aroma of fried doughand from racing down a roller coaster to finding a craft you've been searching years for, making
the New England event special and different for each person who attends the "Fair of fairs. "While there is plenty new to celebrate about this year's Big E, fairgoers from near and far who visit us each year as part of their family tradition, can also take comfort in knowing longtime favorites such as our 19th century recreated New England town known as Storrowton Village, or the Avenue of States where each building showcases the people and products of a particular New England state, or even our longtime shopper's paradise in the Better Living Center, will always have a place at the Fair," Wayne McCary, president of Eastern States Exposition, said. It all begins for 17 thrill-filled, action-packed days of good, old-fashioned family fun with

"Awesome Opening Day," Sept. 16, when the Fair salutes its young visitors with free admission for fairgoers age 18 and under. Also on opening day, The Big E Grande Mardi Gras Parade, featuring authentic Mardi Gras floats, Big E contingents, animals and bands, steps off
at 8 p.m. After opening day, the Mardi Gras Parade, featuring lively music, bead tossing revelers and seven ornately decorated Mardi Gras floats built especially for The Big E in New Orleans by Kern Artists, Inc., will step off from the Avenue of States at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays. And, few places in the world can boast two different parades on the same day. The Big E's original Big E Grande Parade steps off daily at 5 p.m., and features Big E contingents, animals, bands, and on weekends, includes the Mardi Gras floats.

This year's major musical stars will have a new home and a larger setting at the Comcast Arena Stage, located in the former Outdoor Arena where retired Charlie Belknap's auto stunt show was located for many years. In addition to more seating, there will be three video screens, including
one outside the arena for passers-by to watch. All the music begins Sept. 16 with the area's own popular Dan Kane Singers, 8 p.m.; Omarion, former lead singer of B2K, Sept. 17, 8 p.m.; Country's "Redneck Woman" Gretchen Wilson, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. (opening act James Otto, 6 p.m.); Chevy All-Access Music Tour, Sept. 20-23, (music on Sept. 22 & 23 at 3:30 & 7:30 p.m.); modern rockers Collective Soul, Sept. 25, 7 p.m..; brother and sister classical pianists The 5 Browns, Sept. 30, 3 & 8 p.m.; hip-hop stars Frankie J, 8 p.m. and Baby Bash, 7 p.m., Oct. 1; and the
Grammy-winning Los Lonely Boys, Oct. 2, 7 p.m.

The music and more continues on the Court of Honor Stage, sponsored by Comcast, which also takes on a new park-like look in front of the Coliseum with picnic tables, park benches and casual seating, as well as a smaller, lower stage for better viewing. Scheduled performers
include up-and-coming Country singer Julie Roberts, Sept. 16-18; the soulful sounds of Percy Sledge, Sept. 19-22; Springfield's own young Country star Ashley Gearing, Sept. 23-25; singer/dancer of "Cuchi-Cuchi" fame Charo, Sept. 26-29; and the dance pop sounds of Taylor
Dayne, Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Performance times are 3 & 8 p.m. The popular outdoor stage will also play host to the Stars of the Peking Acrobats, presenting a centuries-old tradition of athleticism and spectacle from the Orient, every day of the Fair at 11 a.m., 1 & 6:30 p.m. All acts are free with paid admission to The Big E. The entertainment continues with an all-new show at the Avenue ShowPlace, sponsored by
Big Y World Class Markets®, where magician and illusionist Peter Gossamer, direct from the Las Vegas and Atlantic City stages, will perform his acts of mystery in free shows daily at 11 a.m., 2, 4 and 8 p.m.

There is also a new midway company, North American Midway, operating The Big E's longtime popular funland, featuring screamer rides like the new Power Surge, Wave Swinger and Fireball, alongside the Bumble Bees, Lollipop Swings and Safari Train for little thrill seekers.
North American Midway Entertainment provides midway attractions, including rides, food and games to some 19 million attendees at 142 events annually, including 12 of the top 50 fairs in North America. A special Midway Magic Pass, priced at $20, is available for purchase and is good for unlimited rides any one day Monday through Thursday. Passes are also sold in advance of this year's Fair for $15.

As part of all the new Midway action, one lucky couple will actually be married on the Midway in front of 100 of their closest friends. The general public can place their vote for the couple of their choice by visiting www.thebige.com and clicking on the "Marriage on the Midway" icon for
details on how to enter or to vote. Entries are accepted August 1 24. Ten couples' stories will be selected and posted on the site and voting takes place August 30-Sept. 6. The all-new Big E Super Circus, sponsored by Coca-Cola, is the Fair's own free, one-ring, European-style circus. Among the major acts scheduled to appear under the colorful Big Top tent will be the world-renowned Wallendas, who will recreate the seven-person chair pyramid, "The Seven," created by the late circus family patriarch Karl Wallenda. Other acts include the Svensons Comedy Bareback Riders and the Mongolian Angels Double Trapeze. Daily showtimes for the free circus are 1, 4 & 7 p.m.

Big E fairgoers can also continue their circus experience at New England's great fall festival with a visit to the Circus Museum, located in the Hampden County Building, where craftsmen extraordinaire Brooke Evans and Clyde S. Reynolds have brought "The Greatest Show on
Earth" to life through their minute scale recreations. Also, band organs have been a longtime favorite at the circus, and several years ago The Big E had its very own New England Band Organ custom built by Stinson Band Organ Company. The merry machine beats out its rhythms just inside the Fair's Gate 4.

Cooking is an art form as both professional and amateur chefs at home seek to create the perfect dish. The Harvest New England Kitchen Theater, sponsored by Uncommon USA/Ladderworks, will continue to host cooking demonstrations, food samplings and recipe
contests in the Young building. Kitchen demonstrations are daily at 11 a.m., 1:30, 4 & 7 p.m. Among those scheduled to appear in the state-of-the-art kitchen theater will be Giada De Laurentiis, host of "Everyday Italian" on the Food Network, Sept. 19 and 20 at 1:30 & 7 p.m.; television's zaniest chefs, The Clever Cleaver Brothers, Sept. 22-26 at 1:30 & 7 p.m.; and Tyler Florence, host of the Food Network's "Food 911" and "Tyler's Ultimate," on Sept. 30 at 1:30 & 7 p.m. Scheduled food contests include the Pillsbury ® Refrigerated Pie Crust Championship on
Sept. 21, Hidden Valley ®The Original Ranch® Family Friendly Food Contest on Sept. 27, and the new KC Masterpiece® Memorable Meal Contest, on Sept. 28. All contests will be held at 11 a.m. To enter, call 413-205-5041. The Young Building's International Plaza will feature crafts and other worldly goods from Italy, South America, Austria, Mexico and other distant lands, including Ireland. Our special Irish
cottage selling a variety of products from Ireland's Dingle Peninsula, such as linens, crystal and lace presents the Guinness Pub. In addition to the famous beer and hearty stew, the pub will sell Guinness brand items.

Also, new for youngsters, The Big E will receive a visit Sept. 21 through Oct. 2 from the Fisher Price 75th Anniversary Celebration Tour, which will set up a free playground for youngsters adjacent to the Fair's Giant Slide. Focused on imaginative play and discovery, the Playpen and
Sports Town sets will include games and activities such as Peek-A-Blocks, Barbie Kitchen, Grow to Pro Basketball, Power Wheels driving tracks and more. Kids of all ages will also enjoy: a visit to the Commerford Petting Zoo, sponsored by Rondeau Ice and Dairy Bar; the Mechanical Man who roams the fairgrounds with his hydraulic-like movements; McDonaldland Stage featuring Ronald McDonald and all his friends; Early American Children's Games in Storrowton Village; and a ride down the Giant Slide. And, for the first time ever, the Fair's official furry mascot, BiggiE, will participate in a new Character Breakfast to be held on Saturday, Sept. 24. Reservations for "Breakfast With Biggie"
can be made by calling 413-205-5304. There's always something new on The Big E menu, such as this year's "Cuban Sandwich," to satisfy all tastes. The sweet and scrumptious Big E Cream Puff and Big Eclair the Fair's own signature desserts will also return to the Cream Puff Bakery located in the New England Center. Sumptuous sit-down meals are served at The Big E's own Storrowton Tavern, serving
New England fare in an elegant and historic setting, and the Heroes and Legends Cafe, a throwback to a sixties diner in the Young Building, as well as its popular Samuel Adams Brew Garden.

A "fair within a fair" awaits fairgoers in the New England Center, home to CraftAdventure, the Eastern States Exposition's annual fiber and fabric contest. And, adding to this year's CraftAdventure display during the Fair will be a "first" a visit from members of the Irish Patchwork Society, who for the first time ever in America, will bring their Irish Quilt exhibit "across the pond" to The Big E. The New England Center is also home to informative exhibits from the Civil Air Patrol, Connecticut Fife and Drum Museum, Ham Operators of New England
and others, including 4-H Clubs from all over New England. And, The Big E is a shopper's "dream come true." Each year, merchants gather at the fairgrounds to show off their specialty items, which often can't be found anywhere else locally. The Better Living Center continues to showcase the newest appliances and electronics for home and work, as well as jewelry, clothing and specialty foods. Ingenious and creative
handmade crafts line Hampden Avenue and The Big E's Craft Common, while the Grange Building is home to the Yankee Candle Shop, and Storrowton Village has its own Gift Shop and Christmas Shop.

Just as everyone has their "Own Little E" experience while at the Fair, as this year's theme suggests, The Big E has many of its own traditions dating back to its earliest beginnings, which have become a staple and which fairgoers have come to expect year after year, including: the
prestigious Eastern States Exposition Horse Show, sponsored by Williams Distributing, is an A-rated show by USEF Equestrian. Featuring three shows in one, the Horse Show gets off to a jumping start with Hunters and Jumpers on Sept. 16-18; followed by Saddlebreds, Morgans,
Hackneys and Friesians on Sept. 22-25, and The Big E Draft Horse Show on Sept. 29-Oct. 2. Nowhere else in the country does a fair tradition exist such as The Avenue of States six buildings, each a replica of a New England state capitol, filled with that state's native foods, products, crafts, and tourist information.

Nestled in a quiet corner of The Big E is Storrowton Village Museum, an authentic recreation of a 19th century New England village featuring seven historic buildings assembled around a Town Green. Special activities planned during the Fair include 19th century craft
demonstrations and children's games. Today, The Big E remains true to its agricultural heritage by continuing to host the largest livestock show in the East featuring agricultural producers who come from across the country to display their prize-wining animals.

"It may be hard to believe, but there are some youngsters, as more and more farmland has disappeared from the landscape, who have never seen a cow up close or stepped into a pumpkin patch to pick their own prized orange globe," said Jerry Myers, director of Agriculture and Education. "Whether it is in our Farm-A-Rama building with animals both big and small, our popular hatching baby chick exhibit, and giant vegetables, or along the Avenue of Agriculture inside Mallary Complex, where visitors will find all kinds of agricultural exhibits, Big E fairgoers
of all ages are introduced to the wide world of agriculture."

Admission prices to this year's Big E are adults, $12 weekdays and $15 Saturdays and Sundays; children ages 6-12 are $8 weekdays and $10 Saturdays and Sundays; children age 5 and under are free. Senior Tuesdays, Sept. 20 and 27, offer $10 admission tickets to those ages 60 and over.

Special discounts include "5 After 5" when Monday through Thursday, all tickets after 5 p.m. are just $5. A Big E Value Pass offers unlimited admission all 17 days at $39.95 for adults and $25.95 for children ages 6-12, and includes membership in the BiggiE Club, featuring 10% off
purchases in the Storrowton Village Gift Shop and a one-year subscription to the quarterly newsletter "Expo Edition."

Fairgoers can save even more on their Big E admission this year with special Advance Admission tickets which must be purchased before Sept. 10. Advance adult admission is $10 and children are $8. Tickets are good for any day. Advance 17-Day Value Passes are available
for $34.95 for adults and $22.95 for children. All advance tickets and Value Passes are available now at The Big E Box Office, by calling 1-800-334-2443, or ordering online at www.thebige. through Sept. 10. Advance tickets and Value Passes are also available at all Big Y World Class Markets ® Aug. 25 through Sept. 14. Parking in the Fair's Gate 9 lot is $5 on weekdays and $10 on Saturday and Sunday. A
handicapped parking and covered drop off area is located inside the Gate 9 parking area at Gate 9A. Some nearby West Springfield residents and businesses offer parking for a fee and are not affiliated with The Big E.

Take The Big E Shuttle and save. The Big E Shuttle operates daily from downtown Springfield, West Springfield hotels and motels, and on weekends from the Holyoke Mall. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and include round trip transportation and Fair admission. More
information is available at www.thebige..

The Big E's gates open daily at 8 a.m. Most exhibits and buildings are open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Storrowton Village Museum Gift Shops and the Yankee Candle Shop in the Grange Building, are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Village Craft Area is open until 10 p.m. The North American
Midway is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Avenue of States hours are 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

For more information, visit www.thebige.com or call The Big E info line at 413-205-5115.

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