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Date: 9/18/2019
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The news staff of Reminder Publishing combed the Big E on opening day looking for both new features and traditional favorites.
Farm boy at heart
The Big E is at its heart an agricultural fair and this former farm boy always makes a point of visiting the Farm-a-Rama building.
This trip was different, though, as on opening day there was a contingent of Future Farmers of America who were presenting a series of projects detailing concerns of modern farming.
Like a high school science fair, the members had presentation boards detailing their research which ranged from using humic acid to increase tomato yields to how to best market farm products: through logic or emotion.
It was heady stuff but it clearly shows the new generation of New England farmers is thinking about how to improve and survive.
The Cecchi Farms in Agawam had a presentation that also spoke to the future of farming here. A large presentation showed the different types of crops that can be grown here throughout the year. The title “Different Produce, Different Season” dispels the myth that New England has a limited growing season, while now greenhouse technology, among other innovations, allow farmers to produce cash crops much longer than what the public might believe.
Also new in the Farm-a-Rama building is a series of activities for young children to give them a sense of where food comes from and how it is harvested. Kids can “harvest” an egg from underneath a chicken – yes the chicken is a plush toy – pick a pumpkin – a small gourd – and dig a potato.
The recurring features of the building include the incubator where chicks are hatched, exhibits of various farm animals – yes, I stop transfixed to watch kids (baby goats), which in my opinion are as joyful an animal as puppies. A large hog with piglets is also there as always, and there are monster-sized pumpkins.
My other weakness, besides watching baby goats until I’m ready to collapse, is the vendors at the Better Living Center presenting various gadgets.
I’ve probably written before that I’ve made an oath to my long-suffering wife I will not buy any more gadgets, even though many which I’ve purchased have lived up to the hype of the pitchman or woman. My Wonder Knife is still a wonder, efficiently slicing up various vegetables 20 years after purchase at the fair.
The silicon stretchable reusable lids work well to prevent the use of plastic wrap. The straw-like looking plastic rods that can re-seal a potato chip bag do just that.
This year I spotted a new take on an old fashioned carpet sweeper called the Sweepsmart, and large tents that can be placed over trays of food. The banner behind them read, “Don’t let bugs ruin your outdoor meal!”
My staff is aware of my obsession and my oath to my wife and decided to torture me a bit by urging me to buy the newest version – it features two speeds– of a device that can chop and mix salsa, among other things. They clearly enjoyed seeing my inner conflict. Should I buy a new one since I already have one that’s probably a decade old? When was the last time I used it? Do I really need it? Is it easier just to buy salsa that is already made?
I managed to pull myself away without any damage, but I do plan to go back.
The best value I saw was a $10 box of energy efficient light bulbs and lights from a program offered by Mass Save. Five dollars of the price of each box will be donated to Massachusetts Fallen Heroes.
-G. Michael Dobbs
Can you win the giant bear?
Year after year people pour into the Big E, ready for food, rides, and carnival games! Each year I go back and forth trying to decide if it’s worth it to spend the money and try my luck with winning a massive stuffed animal. This year I decided to play several games to see if it was worth the money and which games someone with average carnival game talent (a.k.a. me) could realistically walk away from with arms full of stuffed animals.
• Claw Game: We all know the game, a metal claw vs. some sort of prize. The object is to grab the prize with the claw and move it to a hole where your prize will be dispensed. Disclaimer: this is the only game I didn’t play. I know I’m awful at this game, so for me it seemed like a waste of money, so Managing Editor of Reminder Publishing, G. Michael Dobbs, took one for the team and tried it out. Each try was $1 and instead of the normal joystick, he navigated the claw with two buttons, one that stopped the claw while it was going left and right, and one that stopped it while it was going back and forth. Dobbs tried four times, and was unsuccessful each time. This was by far the most difficult game we tried.
• Skeeball: A classic game, you roll a ball up the alley and try to get it in a hole with different point values. Each turn is $3 and you get six balls to try to earn 190 points and get a prize. Assistant Managing Editor of Reminder Publishing, Payton North and I took on the game together, but in separate lanes. We each landed 110 points, and walked away once again with no prize. However, someone with a little more patience, aim, and determination could easily achieve the 190 points needed to win, but for the sake of the article we only played one round. This game fell in the middle for level of difficulty. It wasn’t hard, but you also had to put some time and effort in if you wanted to win.
• Water Gun Fun: Rising Waters: This is a game I’ve only seen at carnivals, but each time you see at least three variations of it. For $5 a turn you sit down and press trigger buttons when the bell rings to spray water at a target. For this game Dobbs and I faced off to see who could hit the target and fill a tube of water first. This was by far the easiest game we played and required very little effort or skill to hit and stay on the target. I won by a hair and walked away with my first prize of the day: a stuffed orange llama. This would be a great game for kids, and there’s guaranteed to be a winner each time!
• Ring Toss: This is an iconic game that most people will recognize. You can pay $5 for a small bucket of rings, or $7 for a larger hat full of rings to throw. The rules are simple: throw the rings from behind the stand and land one on the top of a bottle. North helped me try to beat this one. This game was deceptively hard, despite the lady running the game showing us the best way she thought to throw the ring (flat on your fingers with your palm facing up). Despite the game being quite fun and trying several strategies, it’s incredibly difficult to win a prize and we walked away empty handed. This is the second most difficult game we played.
• Whac-A-Mole: Once again, North and I chose a popular game to take a whac at. Again, very simple: hit the moles with the comically big hammer as they pop up, 110 points gets you not one but two prizes. The only struggle I had with this game was the string that connected the hammer to the game was very short, however there is always a winner at this game so no matter what, someone gets a prize! North and I played two rounds total to combine our prizes and allow her to pick the one she wanted rather than the one she was given. We left the game with our final prizes of the day: a stuffed cow and a masked dog-looking plush with claws. This was the second easiest game of the day in my opinion.
-Danielle Eaton
There are health foods to be found at the fair
At a fair that focuses on fried food and oversized eating, for someone who is following dietary restrictions due to health reasons (or simply being health-conscious) going to the Big E can feel daunting – especially when you’re surrounded by people eating the largest cinnamon buns, one-pound mozzarella sticks and fried Girl Scout cookies. While it may seem as if there are not any options for those looking for un-fried food, there were surprisingly several eateries offering delicious, healthy meals and treats.
•West Side Grille: Located in the Young Building is West Side Grille – a restaurant with healthy options! The business is host to a salad and sandwich station, as well as a carving station. Perhaps one of the best aspects of this location is there is plenty of seating indoors for those hot Big E days. If you’re looking to escape the sun and eat a good salad – head over to West Side Grille.
•Sebastian’s Smokehouse: If you can brave the crowds at the Maine Building, you’ll want to stop by Sebastian’s Smokehouse. Though it was a bit challenging to see all of the offerings that Sebastian’s Smokehouse has due to the opening day crowds, I did notice the location had a sign up that stated they were ranked the “healthiest food in the Big E.” One food item that did catch my eye was their smoked salmon, which appeared to be served in typical fair fashion...on a stick!
•Noujaim’s Mediterranean Foods: The Reminder Publishing staff had the pleasure of testing Noujaim’s offerings at the Big E’s “Taste” event a few weeks ago. The business brought fresh hummus, falafel wraps and spanakopita to the event, and were selling their goods at the Big E. Noujaim’s has a location in the Young Building serving their delicious offerings. I highly recommend their spanakopita – though it may not be the healthiest food item on this list!
•My Main Squeeze: East Longmeadow–based business My Main Squeeze has a large booth in the Massachusetts building where they sell their fresh juices, smoothies, acai bowls and more. This is a business that I regularly frequent at their permanent storefront. Their juices are delicious, and their smoothies are filling. Once again – if you’re willing to brave the crowds that come with walking through the state buildings, My Main Squeeze is a fantastic option for someone who is looking for food that won’t bust open a belt.
•Fresh Fruit Vendors: The final healthy option that I noticed scattered throughout the fair were several food trucks advertising fresh fruit kebabs. One of these trucks is located across from the Subway in the Food Court. If you’re looking for a fresh, sweet and delicious treat while being health–conscious, pick up a fruit kebab!
I will say – these are not all of the healthy options that the Big E has to offer. There were several other vendors that offer salads on the menu. While the fair is known for their oversized, decadent foods, there are healthy options to be found at the Big E.
-Payton North
Animals are the highlight of the Big E
As someone who has only been to the Big E once before, I was not expecting to enjoy myself, but was pleasantly surprised.
The food vendors at the Big E offered fairly standard fair food, perhaps with the exception of the massive turkey legs that was available at multiple booths. While I can't imagine actually eating one, the image of people tearing meat from a massive drumstick reminded me of a Viking feast.
Unfortunately, the rides were off limits to me and my motion sickness and fear of heights, but there seemed to be the standard variety.
The part I enjoyed the most was the Farm-a-Rama building. The livestock inside seemed healthy and well-cared for. The horses were majestic and watching seven eager, adorable piglets feed from their enormous mother while she slept in a pile of hay was charming and I had trouble tearing myself away.
Perhaps it is because I grew up in the city and was rarely able to interact with creatures outside the dog and cat variety, but for me, the animals were definitely the highlight of the Big E.
-Sarah Heinonen