The return of Big E: Cows, concerts and all the fair food you could ask for

Updated 9/20 with new mask mandate info.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Big E is back with its 105th edition of New England's giant six-state fair.

Not since World War II, had a year at the fair been lost. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced the halt. 

When the fifth largest fair in North America begins Friday, Sept. 17, it will include the full lineup of concerts, animals, exhibits, foods, 4-H events, shopping and amusements. There's so much to attract visitors to the Eastern States Exposition site. 

For many, the biggest stars at the Big E can be found on the Avenue of States. Here you can visit all six New England states in an afternoon and taste the best they each have to offer. Really.

The only uncertainty for the 2021 Big E is can the fair approach the 1.6 million record of attendees it had in 2019?

The organizers hope so and they've put together a comprehensive lineup of everything a county fair has to offer. 

What to expect at Big E

The ticketed concerts include performances by Billy Idol, Flo Rida, Pat Benatar, Goo Goo Dolls, A Day to Remember, Asking Alexandria and Styx. Free concerts will feature a varied lineup ranging from Foghat to the Yardbirds to Don McLean. 

The animal stars include the Budweiser Clydesdales, a rare breed of blue-eyed, spotted dromedary camels and racing pigs. There will be agricultural exhibits about life on the farm, 4-H booths, the Farm-A-Rama and a petting zoo. 

The Circus Spectacular performs three times daily under the big top for an extra charge of $10.The daily parades (5 p.m. Friday to Sunday and 6:30 every other day) are free and feature marching bands from around New England. The midway has the amusement rides.

There will be acres of shopping at the Better Living Center for everything from fudge to knives. 

Then, there's the food — so much fair food — from fried dough to pierogis. The enormous cream puffs from the Big E Bakery are a signature of the fair. This year you can get the traditional cream or pumpkin whipped cream filling.

Every year vendors seek to outdo themselves with over-the-top foods. Poutine comes with bratwurst and red peppers. Forget chicken and waffles, you'll find waffles paired with double cheeseburgers with onions and bacon on a hash brown patty. Grilled cheese gets an added Bloody Mary sauce. Fried pineapple will be for sale as will a fried giant dill pickle that's hollowed out and filled with a hot dog. Both are served on sticks. 

Local, and more healthful foods will be spotlighted, too, at the Eastern States Farmers' Market and Wine Barn. Think wonderful New England cheeses, ciders and more. 

Year after year, the longest line at the Big E is around the Maine building where they sell the biggest, and best baked potato you'll ever have, with all your favorite toppings. 

That's why the state buildings are the highlight of any Big E fair. They offer a taste of each state, not only food, but beer and wine, too.

In Maine, not only will you find those potatoes, you can enjoy lobster rolls, maple syrup, honey, ice cream, smoked salmon and wild blueberries. Bring home whoopie pies and take-and-bake blueberry pies. Or make your own with Maine Grains flours.

The Rhode Island building will also have lobster rolls as well as clam cakes, chowder and stuffies. There will be Del's Lemonade, pizza, French fries, dairy milk, cookies and ice cream sandwiches. 

The Connecticut building will have New Haven-style pizza and whoopie pies. There will also be their style of hot-buttered lobster rolls. A variety of barbecue foods as well as falafel, apple cider doughnuts, baked goods and jams and jellies will be there, too.

The Vermont Building will offer Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Long Trail Brewing beers, maple BBQ, caramel apples, kimchi, cheese, chocolate desserts and maple candy.

The Massachusetts offerings include Finnish foods, barbecue, a Pilgrim sandwich and turkey bowl, Danish with cranberries, lobster rolls, nitrogen ice cream, kielbasa, hot dogs, apples and cider.

New Hampshire will sell its maple cotton candy, homemade fudge, chocolates and dipped fruits.

Big E tips

Discount tickets are available through Sept. 15 online at thebige.com at $12 for adults and $8 for children aged 6-12. Regular admission is $15 and $10 (for kids). 

Opening day is Friday, Sept. 17 and everyone pays $10 except active duty and retired military personnel for whom admission is free with ID. Dependents of active  duty personnel will also be admitted free that day.

Other discounts include $6 admission after 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Seniors, 60 and older, pay $12 Monday through Thursday. 

Arrive early for best parking ($10). Weekday crowds are less than those on the weekends. 

Gates open at 8 a.m. The Big E Bakery opens at 9 a.m. with their cream puffs and more. Many of the Ag shows start at 9 a.m. The state and other buildings don’t open until 10 a.m. The Court of Honor stage performances start at 11 a.m.

Plan your day at the fair before you go. Go to thebige.com and see what special things are happening on the day of your visit. Then plot your stops. 

Take a cooler bag for food purchases.

Don't take pets, unless they are service dogs. Emotional support animals are not permitted in. 

Masks are required in all indoor spaces and buildings, regardless of vacation status. 

The fair runs through Oct. 3.

The main gate is at 875 Memorial Ave., West Springfield, Massachusetts.