TALES FROM HAUNTED NEW ENGLAND

Tuesday, October 30 7:00pm

It’s that time of year, Halloween is coming. Every channel is featuring spooky movies, and every other commercial seems to feature a horror movie. Between the music and special effects, movies can be scary, even spooky, but in our highly digital world, we often forget the power of storytelling.

This year’s spooky storytelling program will feature ESE’s own Dennis Picard, who for many years has done similar presentations for various audiences all over New England.

This is don’t miss event!

The lights will be dim and the candles flickering in our 1834 Meeting House as Dennis presents an evening of true and eerie tales, mysterious happenings, and scary stories from the darker side of New England history that just may raise the hairs on the back of your neck!

Tales From Haunted New England will run approximately 45 minutes. Admission is $5.00 per person, children, adults, and seniors.

Fiber Festival Photos

It's time to start thinking cozy sweaters and warm scarves as the cooler weather is upon us, and as we're getting closer to the 3rd annual Fiber Festival of New England, we thought we'd take a picture tour of last year's event.

Come to the 3rd annual Fiber Festival, November 3-4, 2012, to see where you favorite fall fibers come from. Get inspired for your next craft, maybe pick up some yarn to knit with or buy a cozy hat for winter.

Last year's fashion show featured some adorable autumn attire. Check it out below and don't foget to

Here are some other items that were featured at last year's Fiber Festival.

Ready to shop? I know I am. Don't miss the Fiber Festival of New England, November 3-4, 2012, at Eastern States Exposition. For more information check out the Fiber Festival page on our blog or go to FiberFestival.org.

You can see more Fiber Festival photos on our Flickr page or on Pinterest.

Most Memorable Fair Moments!

One for the Record Books!

The 2012 Big E was one for the record books! New ESE President, Eugene Cassidy, record breaking attendance,  unique landscapes, top-of-the-line entertainment and a double rainbow to boot!

With 1,365,896 fairgoers this year, it was certainly a year to be remembered. Let's take a picture tour of some of our most memorable moments of the 2012 Big E!

This year, we introduced our Ad Van which could be found touring the Northeast beginning in upstate New York and finishing in West Springfield, Mass.

ESE Landscaper, Scott Paton, introduced our fairgoers to the latest trend in natural scenery - ornamental peppers.  These little gems created quite the stir among our patrons. While not spicy like the edible look-a-likes, these peppers really have no flavor and were developed just for aesthetic appeal. However, many a fairgoer was caught red-handed, testing the taste for themselves.

Getting Political....

Many elected officials stop by The Big E, touring the fairgrounds. This year, our local officials made a stop by the Fair, and toured the grounds and the Massachusetts Building.  Seen right, Massachusetts U.S. Senator Scott Brown talks with ESE Mascot BiggiE. Below, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and ESE President Gene Cassidy share ideas.  

Top-of-the-Line Entertainment

In 2012, The Big E Comcast Arena Stage featured big names in Country music, a world famous ventriloquist, a pop-sensation, and Doo Wop!

Hot Chelle Rae kicked off the performances at The Big E, rocking the house!

The second Saturday of the fair featured The Big E Doo Wop show.

Rodney Atkins played to a full house the second Sunday of the Fair.

Billy Currington rocked the house despite the sub-par weather. And Jeff Dunham made a sold out crowd roll on the floor laughing with new material from his Minding the Monsters special!

Alan Jackson rounded out the Fair with a sold out performance! Perfect way to end the Fair!

Around the Fair! 

 There was much to see and do this year at the Fair. Catherine Hickland highlighted Storrowton Village with her hypnotizing performance. Randy Burns, The Mechanical Man, walked around the grounds while fairgoers tried to guess, is he man or machine? UMASS Basketball joined us on the Avenue of States giving lessons to local youth.

Around the grounds there were many delights to discover. From decorated pumpkins to Walking in a Winter Wonderland, the 2012 displays were unique and creative. 

Shop 'til you drop!

The Big E is home to some of the most unique items on the market, like these Infinity Lamps!

Agriculture at its Best!

The Circus - impressive talent as always! To the left, Duo A&A show off their incredible strength and balancing abilities.

A ZUMBA Flash mob at the Court of Honor!

Even the Staff has to have fun!

A crew of staff members including ESE President, Gene Cassidy, took a run down the McDonald's Giant Slide.

And to cap it off, a double rainbow on the last day!

See you next year for another fabulous Fair.

The Big E: Sept. 13-29, 2013

Another fair season fades away...

It seems I blinked, and it went from Labor Day to September 30. With all the work that goes into the preparation of The Big E, the year of planning, the build up to opening day, it’s hard to believe that that 17-days are gone like that! 

It’s a bittersweet feeling as the fair comes to a close. The Big E ending means normal sleeping hours and regular meals, but at the same time it’s the end of the experience for me. Next year, there will be a different person sitting at my desk, writing blog posts, maintaining Facebook and Twitter, and interviewing the Hosts of the Day.
It’s been such a privilege to be back at The Big E and working with such wonderful people. I’ve had an amazing time in the midst of the chaos.

From racing ESE President Eugene Cassidy down the yellow slide to taking silly pictures on the green screen in Walking in a Winter Wonderland, it’s really been a blast.

 

Our attendance was record breaking this year! We broke seven records before Sunday: six of them for daily attendance and one for overall fair attendance. Before Saturday was even over, The Big E had broken it s all time attendance record. It’s definitely fun to be a part of a historic year.

And to top it all off, the Fair ended with a gorgeous double rainbow.

Until next year!

One Week to Big E 2012!

One week! That’s all that stands between us and the 2012 Big E. Looking out my office window onto the grounds, I can see vendors taking their places, banners flying, tables and chairs where there once was open space, and cars bustling around as if the grounds were its own small town. One week! It’s hard to believe that in just seven days, the cars will be replaced with the bustling of fairgoers who are eager to try the latest fare, try the newest rides, and take in the sights of The Big E. One week!

I admit I am excited for autumn’s clothes: boots, scarves and hoodies, but it hasn’t really sunk in yet that it’s actually fall. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m not returning to school this year for the first time in 20 years, or maybe it’s because this warm, humid weather has over stayed its welcome, but I can’t believe that the staple event of fall in Western Massachusetts will be here in one week.


I know I can’t be alone. For me, the arrival of fall always brings mixed feelings, but as the fairgrounds fill up, I am less melancholy and more elated about what is coming in one week!

What’s coming to The Big E, you ask? Well I will tell you what I am most excited about.

Working in the marketing office, I had the distinct pleasure of sampling the deep fried lasagna, and holy moly! Let me tell you, if you don’t try it, you are missing out. I know what you’re thinking, lasagna is amazing by itself, why fry it? Well, if you like fried cheese of any sort, you’ll understand. This lasagna noodle is stuffed with cheese, double breaded, fried and then topped with sauce. Don’t even act like you’re mouth isn’t watering as you read this.

I also was able to get a sneak peak and taste of the fried Samoas which are equally AMAZING! Yes, they’re similar to the concept of a fried Oreo, but the flavor and texture when you bite into the batter is unique and otherworldly. It’s a chewy, nutty, chocolate combination that’s worth the calories.


Being on the inside of the set up operation this year, I have also been able to watch while the Fair comes together. I’ve paid particular attention to the conception and assembly of the Walking in a Winter Wonderland exhibit. The display is like a greeting card come to life. Enjoy walking through a maze of Christmas trees, traversing a Big E blizzard (yes there will be real snow!), and taking in holiday scenes around every bend. Yes, I’m aware that it’s not even Thanksgiving yet! We’re not trying to rush time, we want to enjoy every minute of fall, but this display is so breathtaking, it will almost make you wish that the winter holidays were here.

There’s so much to look forward to next week! Shows, exhibits and food! What are you looking forward to most about fall and this year’s Fair?

24 days out…

I left my house for my morning run. It was six a.m., and while the sun was up, it was chilly. Not so cold that I didn’t want to go out, but cold enough that I needed a long-sleeved shirt. As I was moving steadily and the crisp air was filling my lungs, I realized it has happened again, summer is rapidly wrapping up. It seems that the sunny season is transient, ending as quickly as it begins, and every year summer seems to go by more and more quickly. For those of us who think life begins at the beach, love that the sun doesn’t set until nearly 8:30 p.m. and think that flip flops should be work appropriate, the beginning of fall brings a bittersweet feeling. Yet, as the cool breeze moved through my hair, I started to think about what the change of the season brings with it.

First, there is that crisp feeling that morning and evenings begin to have. That feeling reminds me that soon the leaves will change to ethereal colors of burgundy, rich orange and bright yellow. It also reminds me that I will be able to wear my fall clothes again. Nothing beats that feeling of wrapping up in a warm sweater on a cool day to go apple picking or a cozy sweatshirt over my jeans to take a hike and enjoy the colors of fall. It also reminds me that The Big E is coming, and that makes me not quite as sad to say farewell to the ocean for another season.

The Big E is coming, and it’s coming as quickly as summer is fading…24 days, 21 hours and 55 minutes to be exact. I’m looking forward to Opening Day of the Fair and the smells and sights that come along with it. Just the as the crisp feeling of cool air this morning elicited many emotions, so do the smells that come along with The Big E. Immediately, it takes me back to my childhood when the Fair was a magical experience. As I breathe in the smell of fried dough and hear the sounds of laughter coming from the Midway, I feel like a kid again when life was less complicated.

As I think about The Big E this year, I am looking forward to trying new foods. I read the description of the fried lasagna, and my mouth starts to water. I’ve already had the distinct pleasure of taste testing the Deep Friend Samoas, and let me tell you…YUM! The only stress for me at The Fair is having to choose between fried cheese curd and mini donuts. Sometimes you just have to indulge in both.

I’m also looking forward to the entertainment. Part of the Fair experience for me is getting to enjoy shows locally. As a Western Mass native, I’ve become used to traveling to Hartford or Boston to enjoy a concert or comedian, but when The Big E is here, I get to enjoy a show in my own backyard. I am ready and waiting to see Peanut, Walter and Achmed…oh and Jeff Dunham!

I guess I really am excited for fall to arrive. Each season has its treasures, and I’m looking forward to the joys of autumn.

--
The Big E blog is written by Beth, our Marketing Assistant.

Storrowton Village Herb Garden

Today, Storrowton Village Museum hosted a tour of Aunt Helen’s Herb Garden. The garden was packed with visitors taking advantage of the gorgeous weather and fragrant garden. Located in the backyard of the museum’s Gilbert Farmstead, the garden is more than 75 years old.

As a “teaching garden,” the plot houses more than the average cooking herbs, too. It is divided into sections by use including medicinal, household, and textile uses, though some herbs have multiple uses.

 The tour will provided guests with hands-on demonstrations of some of the herbs’ different uses.

The garden is set in the middle of Storrowton Village, and all the garden plots in the Village are in full bloom. Beautiful Black Eye Susan spread through a bed outside the Carriage House.

 

 Here’s a close up. They almost look fake!

 

On the light poles surrounding the Village green, are these beautiful hanging baskets filled with impatiens.

It’s such a simple basket, but really brightens up Storrowton Village.