It’s that time of year again!

The Big E is back in town for their 2015 season, beginning Friday, September 18^th and running through Sunday, October 4^th.

Never made it out to The Big E? Never even heard of it?

For those who don’t know, The Big E (The Eastern States Exposition) is the largest agricultural event on the east coast. The Big E is annual whirlwind of food, rides, entertainment, animals, crafts, contests, and just about everything in between.

It is also located just across the river in West Springfield, so it is an easy drive from AIC, which makes going all the better!

People love The Big E for several reasons: the shopping, the food, the agriculture, the rides and the games.

Dan Backx enjoys The Big E all around, stating “I love that there are cool drinks, animals, and food.”

Many also enjoy the concerts at The Big E. The entertainment lineup for this year includes Bridgit Mendler, Brett Eldredge, up-and-coming country artist Jana Kramer, and much more.

The food is a big hitwhen it comes to The Big E, ranging from the traditional fair foods, to The Big E cream puffs and eclairs, to the Craze-E burger—a signature food they’ve had the last few years. This consists of two glazed donuts as the bun, and with bacon cheeseburger in the middle.

The Big E also features a list of exotic and deep fried selections that seems to grow every year; Whether it is the classic fried Oreo or something totally different and bizarre like fried butter, or fried Kool-Aid… Basically, anything you can think of, The Big E will fry it for you.

Many college students in the Springfield area try to make it to The Big E at least once a year.

AIC student Alyssa Guyon, who is from Western Massachusetts, grew up with The Big E in her life. She says her earliest memory is “going with her family and her dad winning her a stuffed animal playing pool.”

Bri Bishop, who is from the area, enjoys going to The Big E as well.

“Before I was a vegetarian, I love the crazy foods they had to offer,” Bishop said. But one thing she said she did not like is the big crowds of people at the fair.

Everyone seems to have a favorite food when it comes to The Big E. Guyon has tried the Craz-E burger, but she loves their sweetpotatoes. AIC student Kristen Fraska says “I always liked the apple cider donuts in the Vermont building,” while sophomore Craig Wester stated that he is “obsessed with the fried oreos.”

There is always something to do at the Big E, like going down the big yellow slide, or going through the New England state buildings on the Avenue of States, or checking out Farm-A-Rama, one of the most popular agriculture exhibits. Farm-A-Rama includes live animals and giant crops, giant Pumpkins, agricultural entertainment, bees, cow milking, and so much more!

Year in and year out, The Big E is always a fun time, so everyone should get out this year and experience it. AIC students should take a couple of hours out of their crazy lives, and make it over there sometime in the next few weeks.