WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS.

Fairgoers enjoy all things Big E on its opening day

by Sophie Markham | Sep 16, 2025 | Hampden County, Local News, Photo Slider, West Springfield

Three people sitting on potato sacks sliding down a giant yellow slide at the Big E

Fairgoers take speed down the famous Giant Slide at the Big E’s opening day.
Reminder Publishing photos by Sophie Markham

WEST SPRINGFIELD — On Sept. 12, the Big E once again opened its gates for another season. As always, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to walk the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds. This year’s fair runs from Sept. 12 until Sept. 28.

a giant pink teddy bear being carried outside on a clear day
A giant pink plush bear makes its way throughout the fairgrounds at the opening day of the Big E.
A man and a baby looking at a goat at a petting zoo
Matthew Werther with his son, Luke, 5 months, greets one of the many sheep at the fairgrounds petting zoo.
Two goats looking over a fence at a petting zoo
A pair of goats pose for a photo at the fairgrounds petting zoo.
Two boys sitting in front of a vendors shed during the Big E
Young fairgoers sit along one of the many vendors stationed around the fairgrounds.
A boy sitting in a model airplane cockpit inside a building at the Big E
A young fairgoer checks out one of the New England Air Museum’s aircraft in the Connecticut Building.
A man and a woman sitting at a picnic table eating fair food at the Big E
Ed and Deb Haberli of Connecticut enjoy a delectable treat and some shade in the Connecticut Building.
Lobster rolls sitting in a display case at the Big E
Lobster rolls provided by Massachusetts State Grange.
Three people with glasses holding food while sitting on a bench at the Big E
Left to right: Jamarr Daniels, Tiana Daniels and Yolanda Williams take a rest and enjoy some snacks at the Big E’s opening day.
a woman riding a horse jumping over a gate inside an arena
Phoebe Nunziato and her horse, Chamonix, perform inside of the Young Building at the opening day of the Big E.
A giant ferris wheel at the Big E with food booths and people in the foreground
A shot of the Ferris Wheel at the Big E’s opening day.
A man standing in front of a basketball carnival game at the Big E fair
A Money Ball attendant hangs around at the opening day of the Big
Sophie Markham
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