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Big E is big business for Western Massachusetts

Date: 2/5/2015

WEST SPRINGFIELD – While the Big E might be a right of passage in Western Massachusetts, something that is inherently known by the region’s residents, it is again making itself known across the nation.   

For the second year in a row, the fair was named the fifth largest in North America. The 2014 Big E broke attendance records for the third year in a row, this time hitting 1.5 million visitors from all around New England and beyond.

President and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition Eugene Cassidy, who is serving his third year in the position, said that upon hearing the news, his pride stretched far beyond the fair grounds.

“Last year when we hit five, I was very excited. Of course, we think we’re the No. 1 fair in North America,” Cassidy said. “Frankly, my reaction was one that included pride in the community of Greater Springfield and Western Massachusetts.”

The Big E was on a list alongside the Texas State Fair, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Minnesota State Fair and the San Antonio Stock and Rodeo Show. This makes the Big E the second largest fair outside the state of Texas.

While the morale boost for the area is something that can be felt, but not necessarily defined, the economic impact on Western Massachusetts is qualitative and clear. The Eastern States Exposition has an annual regional economic impact of a whopping $479 million.

Despite the year-round shows at the Eastern States Exposition, this nearly half billion boost is almost entirely from the Big E. Cassidy said that 82 percent of that number comes “in 17 days of the year,” but that the purpose of the fair grounds is to do exactly this.

“We were intended to drive the economy and we proved that we are a very large economic engine in the region,” Cassidy said.

While Cassidy said this driving revenue for the region has been the goal of the Eastern States Exposition since its inception, he said the recent spike in visitors, economic impact and media attention to the Big E and the fair grounds is for a reason.

Cassidy said that he believes part of the renewed spotlight has been because of the Eastern States Exposition’s casino bid in 2013. The bid, in conjunction with Hard Rock, was voted down in September 2013 by West Springfield voters.

Aside from the attempts to get a casino on the grounds, Cassidy said that good weather helps drive attendance to the Big E, as well as a shift in the grounds’ message.

 “Our message has changed in the past few years where we’re spending more time talking about history and talking about how we helped drive the economy, and I think that people are responsive to that,” Cassidy said. 

The 2015 Big E is scheduled to run from Sept. 18 to Oct. 4. The Charlie Daniels Band is kicking off the opening night of the 99th annual Big E.