Harry Camyre (fifth from left) is flanked by some of the volunteers who prepare and serve meals at the Agawam Lions Club’s Big E restaurant. Camyre chairs the club’s Big E committee.
Reminder Publishing photos by Mike Lydick
WEST SPRINGFIELD — One of Karl and Paulina Bernier’s favorite places to go every September is the Big E. The Agawam couple has attended the fair for four decades — and have never been bored.
“Every year we find something new to do or a new food to try,” said Karl. “Since this was our 40th year at the Big E, we decided to celebrate by buying a 17-day pass.”
Sept. 30 was the Big E’s annual Salute to Agawam — one of five communities honored annually with a special day at the fair.
The Berniers attended the 2026 Big E every weekday afternoon and were among several Agawam residents interviewed on Agawam’s special day.
After days of wet weather, the fairgrounds were jam-packed with thousands of visitors. But the crowd didn’t bother the Berniers. “We love it here. We like having something to do that’s mostly outside,” said Karl.
“We like meeting new people each year as well as seeing others who have become our friends — some of whom we only see once a year here. We also meet many people we know from town. For us it’s like having a neighborhood party,” added Paulina.
The fair has been a tradition for the Berniers ever since bringing their children were in elementary school. When their sons were on the AHS football team, they watched them march in the parade.
“We like coming on Agawam’s special day to support our community and to continue our support for Agawam’s youth — especially the high school marching band,” said Paulina, who wore her Agawam football sweatshirt and Agawam hat for the day.
The Big E has created lots of fond memories for the Berniers, including the birth of their first grandchild when they were at the fair. “The Big E will always have a special place in my heart,” said Paulina.
Paulina and Karl Bernier — standing in front of the Massachusetts Building at the Big E — celebrated their 40th year at the fair by purchasing a 17-day pass and spending weekday afternoons at the fairgrounds.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
Sandy Oneal has been a fan of the Big E ever since she was a teenager. She enjoys walking the fairgrounds to get some exercise and seeing the fair’s sights and sounds. “I like everything about the fair — especially the food. One of my favorite places to eat is Storrowton Tavern’s buffet,” she said.
Oneal visits the fair several times each year and usually makes a point of coming when the Big E celebrates Agawam. “It’s nice to have a special day for our town — it’s a good way to treat your neighbor.”
Sandy Oneal stands in front of the entrance to Storrowton Tavern — one of her favorite eating places at the Big E.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
Retired couple Rob and Kathy Keenan started coming to the Big E when their kids were little — and they’ve never stopped. “It’s a great way to touch base with friends we don’t see all that often,” said Rob. Added Kathy, “We always like to come on Agawam’s special day so we can represent our town.”
They enjoy the numerous places to eat at the fair — particularly if they can also support Agawam businesses. “It’s always something we look for every year. One of our favorites this year was the fried turkey at EB’s Restaurant,” said Kathy.
Rob and Kathy Keenan take a break from walking around the Big E by sitting on a bench in front of one of the state buildings.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
The Agawam Lions Club’s restaurant is not new to the Big E — it’s operated an eatery at the fairgrounds for nearly 70 years.
Famous for serving a variety of chicken meals, the restaurant is the club’s biggest fundraiser. It’s also a tradition for many Agawam fairgoers. “We often see more Agawam folks when the fair celebrates our town. The restaurant represents 10% of what we raise in donations every year,” said Harry Camyre, who chairs the club’s Big E committee.
“We have three shifts of volunteers each day who come to help prepare and serve our meals. All we pay for is the food and paper goods we buy from the Big E,” he added.
The club — formed in 1944 — owns the building but not the land it sits on. Known as the “Lion’s Den,” it’s also the site of the club’s monthly meetings from April to October.
The club has several other fundraising activities during the year, including a corn beef and cabbage dinner, two pancake breakfasts and a purse bingo.
Much of that money goes back to the community — from eight annual $1,000 scholarships for graduating AHS seniors to regular lunches for veterans to funding special community causes.
The Jurasz family — Lily, a sixth grader at Doering Middle School, Heidi and Craig — always try to visit the Big E on the day that the fair celebrates Agawam.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
Heidi Jurasz grew up in West Springfield before moving to Agawam. She remembers volunteering with her father at the dormitory the Big E has for 4H kids. “Dad made the Big E a tradition for our family. He loved the fair. Now I’m carrying it on with my family,” she said.
Jurasz added that she was a “West Side girl” who played in the school band and marched in Big E parades. The 20-year Agawam resident said she enjoys being with her family on Agawam’s special day. “It’s fun to celebrate the Big E with my kids now while remembering all the special times I had with my dad when I was a kid.”
From left: Agawam School Committee member Mike Perry scans the crowd while riding a Big E trolley filled with town officials. Agawam High School’s marching band gave a grand performance in the Big E’s daily parade to celebrate Agawam on its special day. The Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee’s float from the 2026 Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade made an appearance in the Big E’s daily parade.
Reminder Publishing photos by Mike Lydick
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