Big E mixes traditions with surprises

Date: 9/18/2014

Hard to believe, it’s Big E season again. Time to indulge in delicacies such as kangaroo burgers and fried Twinkies, flail around on rides, tour the state houses that are jam-packed with exhibitors and enjoy the various entertainment offerings.

The goal of my 2014 jaunt to the Big E was to recapture the fun of my childhood by taking to the carnival rides of the fair. I’ve wanted to do this angle for the past two years, but we always chose the day it rained. This time, the weather was perfect: sunny and warm with a slight breeze. In the name of fun, I slapped on the $28 wristband on and went to work.

To my delight, rides such as the Mouse Trap and Haunted Mansion were still there. For those that don’t know, these are roller coaster/funhouse rides where you travel through the twists and turns waiting for something to jump out at you.

Another ride, Polar Express, brought back memories of traveling to Riverside Park – now the home of Six Flags New England (SFNE) – where I would repeatedly ride the Music Express that was the same type of ride, only it went forward. Both rides circle round and round at a fast pace while music blasts through the speakers.

One of my favorite rides was the Pharaoh’s Fury a big boat that swings back and forth, lifting you from the seat. I have enjoyed this type of attraction since I was a little kid. I also recommend the Orbiter to fairgoers whose stomachs can handle the fast-paced whirl. The Crazy Mouse rollercoaster was also enjoyable, simple but exciting.

Personally, I did not enjoy the Swing Tower. I’m not afraid of heights – I happen to love the SkyScreamer at SFNE – but this ride had a bench seat that swung back and forth, too much for my own comfort. There’s no gradual lifting, riders are instantly propelled into the air, beginning the assent immediately. That, and, it was very jerky.

At the highest point of the ride (much less than the SkyScreamer elevation), the swings suddenly dipped – you know that feeling when the plane hits a pocket of turbulence and then instantly returns to its previous position. Yeah, not good.

Other rides include the Zipper, a ride that circles around as each individual car rapidly spins (think of a ride that simulates the rough and tumble nature of roller derby); Niagara Falls, a log flume ride (too cold for that); and the Mach 3, a ride that consists of a long lever that has four seats on either end, which spin as a unit separate from the rotation of the arm. Halfway through the ride, each end gets “hang time” as the arm locks perpendicular to the ground as the highest seats dangle upside down.

Much to my editor’s dismay, I would not go on that ride. Being suspended upside down just for the sake of doing so is not my idea of fun.

The fair features many more rides including a large section for children. What I noticed was that many of the rides could be considered amusement park classics. Nowadays, we’re spoiled by the smoothness of steel. If you have never been on the more traditional fair rides, watch out, these rides have some kick, but that’s all part of the nostalgia.
After being thrown in every direction, I decided it was time for some grub. Please note that it is not wise to fill your belly and then hit the rides. I know this seems like common sense, but there’s always that one person. And well, let’s just say it ruins it for the rest of us.

I started with dessert first. I ordered the fried Girl Scout Samoa cookies from the Coffee Break at the food court. An order costs $6 for six cookies. I am not usually a fan of these fried novelties, but this was a tasty treat.

The heat melted the chocolate of the cookie to just the right temperature and the taste was still flavorful. I think I’ll try heating up some of the Samoa cookies in the microwave next season for a different take on a classic treat that’s a wee bit healthier.

For my main course, I ordered the pulled pork sundae from the Pork Palace for $10, a bit steep for the size of the item. The “sundae” consisted of the following layers from top to bottom: A cherry tomato, coleslaw, pulled pork, mashed potatoes, baked beans and corn bread.

Not one for coleslaw, I scraped that off into the trash barrel. I did try a bite before doing so and it was tasty, but the sliminess of the mayonnaise combined with the crunchiness of the cabbage did not bode well for my taste buds.

Each layer was delish! The mash potatoes are just like mom’s homemade cooking, the corn bread was warm and crumbly and the pork and beans were perfectly seasoned.

For a drink, I grabbed a cup of apple cider – my absolute favorite – from the Atkins Farms booth in the Massachusetts State Building. Atkins is located in Amherst. I highly recommended others stop by as its market offers numerous items such as food, home décor and many local crafts.

In keeping with the idea of tradition, I interviewed three of the Big E’s longstanding employees, who combined, have worked the fair for decades.

First I caught up with Mary Anne Pappas, 91, of West Springfield while she worked at the Big E Cream Puff Bakery in the New England Center building. She has worked at the fair for 40 years, spending the last eight in the bakery. She worked as a kitchen demonstrator previously.

When asked what kept her coming back, Pappas said, “Because I love the atmosphere and the people. It’s a great place to work. It’s always upbeat and a lot of fun. It’s always enjoyable.”

Her philosophy, “You have to keep moving. You can’t sit and vegetate.”

In addition to working the Big E, Pappas volunteers at Tatham Elementary School in West Springfield and at her church, St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Springfield.

She has four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, soon to be five.

In July, Pappas was one of nine women honored with the Agape Award from the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society Inc. for her philanthropic efforts.

Tommy D’Amato of Springfield is working at the Big E for his 45th year. He turned 101 this past May. He is stationed at the Gate 9 entrance where he sells programs to fairgoers.

D’Amato couldn’t imagine not taking part in the fair. “It’d be a dull life. I’ve been active all my life. Whatever I do, I enjoy it,” he said.

At a recent trip to the doctor, his physician wanted to give D’Amato a walker. His response, “Isn’t that for old people?” The doctor supplied him with a cane instead.

He started working at the tender age of 9 in the tobacco fields of Suffield, Conn. “It was money coming into the house,” D’Amato said, adding that it helped support his parents and four siblings.

“My favorite part of the fair is talking to the people. People, they smile at you, they talk to you,” he commented. He said that many of the people know him and stop to ask how he and his family are doing.

Bart Hastings of West Springfield is 89. He has worked for the Big E since 1988. This year, he is stationed at the Gate 1A entrance behind the New Hampshire State Building.

“You meet people from all over and have a good time. It’s hard to imagine not being at the fair. It’s a great event, I really look forward to it every year,” he said.

“I’m getting near the end, I think,” Hastings said about volunteering, but stressed that he would still visit.


My goal was to find the “new” in New England’s great state fair and as usual the Big E is a combination of the traditional and the surprise.

In the Young Building, Keith Gordon and his staff from Burgundy Brook Café in Palmer are making their Big E debut. The farm-to-table restaurant and bakery is brining its French meat pie as well as assorted breads and pastries to the fair.

Eight dollars buys you a very generous slice of homemade French meat pie with ingredients grown on their farm, according to Gordon. The pie is served with traditional brown gravy or Hollandaise sauce.

“When they [visitors] try it, we love it,’” he said.

This reporter certainly did.

Gordon said he came to the Big E “mostly for the exposure.” Few business venues give a company potential access to more than 1 million people.

Also in the Young Building is a special display dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair and an era during which people would travel across country to see the innovations featured at a world’s fair. Souvenirs from the fair as well as photos and movies can be seen as well as a vintage 1965 Mustang.
The state of Texas has a huge exhibit outside of the entrance of the Better Living Center designed to encourage tourism to the Lone Star State. Carley and I stood in line to enter the exhibit and the first step was filling out forms on iPads with personal information that is designed to provide tourism officials with one heck of a database.

If that makes you uneasy, you can still get inside where you will be issued a Texas “passport.” The passport has a log on code that will enter you into a sweepstakes and provide you with more tourism information.

Once inside there are media stations with various games to test your knowledge of Texas – I scored seven out of 10 on one game that presented me with photos and asked “Texas or Not?”

Carley proved adept in herding cattle on one video game and on a rock-climbing challenge. You could also have your photo taken in front of a green screen featuring a variety of Texan locations.

Once departing the exhibit you’re given a Texas tote bag. Everyone loves a freebie.

Unfortunately, that little band from Texas ZZ Top had to cancel its appearance at the Big E due to the broken hip suffered by one of its members. Filling the spot on Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. will be legendary Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd. Tickets are on sale now at $39 and $29.

The folks at White Hut in West Springfield are offering their own specialty burger this year: two patties with cheese between two Belgian waffles. I was tempted to try it, but the French meat pie filled me to the brim.

I was disappointed I didn’t see a new gadget to tempt me as I am easily swayed by the promises of the pitchmen. I did notice speaker devices that squirted water in time with the music that was playing – something that would certainly confuse your cat. I was tempted but I resisted.

No trip to the Big E is without traditional stops and activities. I’m a creature of habit and I have plenty of places I return to every year.

I had to buy a cigar from the folks at Connecticut Valley Tobacconist in Enfield, Conn. They are in the Connecticut State Building and I was impressed with the stogie I purchased last year. They hand roll them in booth and the cigars features Connecticut broadleaf wrappers with Dominican filler. I like them and by indulging my bad habit I’m supporting a local business.

Also in the Connecticut Building is an area featuring Connecticut-based authors and their books. This is ideal Christmas gift fodder for the readers on your list as you’re able in many instances to have the author sign your purchase.

The state buildings are that mix of new and traditional. Vermont perhaps has the most tempting food offerings from cheddar cheese to maple products, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, apple pie and coffee, pizza cooked fresh on in stone ovens and craft beers. There is a dinner in there someplace.

The state houses are also a place where local businesses get an opportunity to reach a huge audience. Amy Mitchell of Wilbraham has been in the Massachusetts Building with her homemade soap business for the past five years. She said her “love of making soap and educating people about natural soap” have compelled her to come back year after year.

Her products can be used on both humans and pets and she said the natural soaps help both with sensitive skin conditions.

With a constant parade of people coming before your booth area, Mitchell said with a smile, “So far it’s been a great fair.”

My thoughts exactly.