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Date: 9/28/2023
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Growing up here, Steven Akey remembers many warm, sunny days at the Big E.
He returned to the fair this year, for the first time in 43 years, on the rainy, cool day that the Eastern States Exposition had designated as its Salute to West Springfield.
The weather didn’t dampen his enthusiasm. “It was great to see the Avenue of the States — the buildings’ exteriors don’t look like they’ve changed at all. Inside, there’re more exhibitors than I remember. I also noticed a lot of outside spaces being utilized for exhibitors,” said Akey, now living in Alexandria, Virginia.
He was among more than 16,500 visitors to the fair on Sept. 18. The fair’s first Monday is traditionally its “salute” day for West Springfield. His trip to the fair with his brother and sister-in-law coincided with a family visit to his hometown where his parents still live.
“The fair runs longer now, but its foundations — the state buildings, the Coliseum and the Better Living Center — are still pretty much the same as I remember them,” said Akey while eating lunch at the West Springfield Lions Club restaurant where he and his brother worked as youngsters.
“This is still one of the greatest fairs in the country — and I know, because I’ve been to many other fairs across the country,” he said.
Unlike his older brother, David Akey returned to West Springfield after a stint in the Navy and working in Boston. He and his wife, Cynthia McGarvey, recently moved to her hometown of Enfield, but always try to come for West Springfield’s day at the Big E.
“We come for the nostalgia, the entertainment and the state buildings,” he said.
The younger Akey said while ticket prices have increased, the Big E is still “a very good value with all that you can see and do” for one admission price. “One of our traditions is getting malted vinegar fries from Jack’s Fries,” he said. “The photography exhibit at the New England Center building is another must for us.”
The Big E always sparks special memories for Akey and McGarvey since they were married in 2011 at the large white church at Storrowton Village, and had their reception at the Carriage House.
The Big E has special childhood memories for McGarvey, too.
“As a kid, the big thing was visiting the horse barn,” she said. “I still enjoy seeing horses and other animals, but I also like the arts and crafts. The weather never makes a difference for us — we come when our schedule allows, rain or shine.”
Jack Baker spent 38 years as a West Springfield firefighter and EMT. Retired for eight years, the West Springfield resident often can be found helping firefighters at the Firehouse Restaurant at the Big E’s fire station. Proceeds from food sales benefit a financial assistance fund for West Side firefighters in need.
“If I have a chance to walk around, I visit vendors I’ve known for years to see how they’re doing,” said Baker, who also works at the first-aid center. “When you’re at the Big E nearly every day, you develop a sense of camaraderie with others working here.”
After working as a paraprofessional with special needs elementary students at West Springfield’s Fausey School, Laurie Whalen comes to the Big E to be the “pickle lady.” From 4 to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, she sells pickles from a booth resembling a giant pickle barrel.
“I love the people I meet. It’s so much fun talking with people who come to the booth,” said Whalen, who has sold pickles at the Big E for Calabrese’s Market for five years. “It’s so different than what I do at school — and I run into a lot of people I know. Plus, being near the Green, I hear great music and concerts. It’s so cool.”
Judy Mae Osborne sells T-shirts and hockey-themed souvenirs at the Springfield Thunderbirds’ booth inside the Massachusetts Building. A part-time receptionist for the team during hockey season, the West Springfield resident has sold T-Birds items at the Big E for four years.
Osborne works 10 of the fair’s 17 days. There’s not much time to walk around after her shifts. When she does, there are a few favorite places she visits.
“I like the Firehouse Restaurant’s cheeseburgers and ice cream. I want to support my town and I’m very loyal to the Fire Department. I also like fudge from the Rhode Island Building,” she said. “The Connecticut Building has a lot to offer, too. I usually get some Pez candy dispensers for a family member who collects them.”
Osborne said it’s important that the Big E honor its host community with a special day.
“It’s another opportunity to highlight West Springfield and shine a spotlight on those who are running the town.”
West Springfield Mayor William Reichert and several School Committee members led the Sept. 18 edition of the evening parade around the fairground. The West Springfield High School Marching Terriers was largest group from town in the parade, showing off their musical talents and their new blue and white uniforms. No other West Springfield groups were in the parade, which has been abbreviated since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.