Fairgoers flock to Big E for West Springfield’s special day

West Springfield Middle School band members march in the daily parade that honored West Side on Sept. 16.

Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Paul Hieronymus celebrated his 52nd birthday in special way: he attended the Big E for its annual Salute to West Springfield.

“My birthday was the day before and this was a gift from my wife. We haven’t been to the Big E in a few years, but we didn’t want to come on the weekend,” said Hieronymus.

They arrived just after the gates opened at 8 a.m. on Sept. 16 and planned to stay until early afternoon.

“We always come early and leave when it gets crowded. We’ll see what we can see, then head out,” he said.

Diane Hieronymus said she was looking forward to going into the state buildings: “I don’t have a favorite because they’re always changing things. I always find something I like in each of them. I also like to check out the crafts.”

The West Springfield natives said having a special day to honor their hometown is appropriate.

“The Big E is good for revenue for the town, but we also have to the put up with traffic and other issues, so it’s nice to get the recognition,” said Paul Hieronymus.

Sept. 16 — the first Monday of the Big E’s 2024 season — was warm and sunny. It was perfect fair weather for the 67,034 people who attended. That number was four times higher than the Salute to West Springfield in 2023, when only 16,549 people attended because of rainy weather, setting a record low attendance.

Darlene Bessette enjoys history. That’s why the retired West Springfield teacher volunteers at Storrowton Village during the Big E.

“I love history and Storrowton Village is very historic. They’ve preserved the buildings on the village green so visitors can see how people lived in the past,” said Bessette, who was among several volunteers at the Gilbert Farmhouse.

She was looking forward to West Springfield students visiting the building.

“They get free tickets, so many parents bring their children with them when they walk through the buildings,” she said. “It can be very educational for the kids.”

Salute to West Springfield is one of the busiest days of the fair for the West Springfield Lions Club. It’s a demanding day for kitchen manager and club president John Leary.

“We were quite busy in the early afternoon with folks from West Springfield coming in,” said Leary, who has managed the kitchen for more than 10 years. “When the kids come in and after the parade, it’s usually the busiest.”

Leary, who is at the restaurant every day of the Big E from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., said a $3 bacon cheeseburger special for Salute to West Springfield helped drive people to the restaurant. The West Springfield resident said the full-size burger is regularly $7. The Lions Club was among several places offering $3 specials in honor of the town’s 250th birthday,

The club has been selling food at the Big E since it set up a tent in 1947. A permanent building was constructed in the 1970s. Leary said while most of the proceeds from the fair benefit the club, it also donates a portion to several local charitable organizations. 

David Gilbert, 12, is a West Springfield Middle School student and a member of its football team. His team didn’t march in the daily parade, but many of his classmates in the band did.

“I like the parade — it means even more to me when I see my friends in the band. I feel a sense of pride for my school when they go by me playing their instruments and marching,” he said. “Having a special day for West Springfield is a good thing. It brings together a lot of people from the town who come out for the parade to support the school bands and other groups.”

Gilbert also likes the food at the fair. Corn dogs are a must, but he also enjoys fried Oreos and lemonade.

“I want to try all the food at the Big E — so I’m going to make the most of it today,” he said, “I won’t be coming back again this year.”

George Kelly has been part of the daily parade for Salute to West Springfield for 25 years as a member of the West Springfield St. Patrick’s Committee and as a former town councilor. The original owner of an immaculate 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible, he carries other members of the committee in his car during the parade.

The former stock car racer at the Big E and Riverside Speedway, now in his 80s, said while he’s experienced at piloting his car in the parade, it’s not as easy it looks.

“My head is always on a swivel,” Kelly said. “I have to pay attention to people who might suddenly dart in front of the car. It’s a challenge, but I enjoy it.”

Kelly said he likes that the Big E honors the town.

“Having a special day also serves to recognize many groups and organizations — like the St. Patrick’s Committee — that contribute so much to the town,” Kelly said.