The Big E 2013 logo
 




                    FOOD , MUSIC AND ... RACING PIGS (?!) ARE   

                                     COMING TO THE BIG E

            New England's Grandest Fair Returns Sept. 13 to 29, 2013



WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (July 25, 2013) - It's hard to sum up America's 9th largest fair in a single story. There is so much to see and do this year, you'd need a book to describe it all, but food and music are always two of The Big E's, well, biggest draws. Read on for some highlights for this year's Fair.
   
Music Men  


The Big E's 6,500+ person, outdoor concert venue, xfinity arena, hosts some big names for 2013, including Don Felder who brings us An Evening at the Hotel California on Sept 14 at 7:30 p.m. (free). Tommy James & The Shondells perform Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. (free), with The Beach Boys making waves as the grand finale on Sept. 29 (free). That sound of teens shrieking can only mean one thing: pop star Austin Mahone is in the house on Sept. 28 (free).  

Country fans can enjoy Hunter Hayes Sept. 20 ($29-$39, on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com), and Kix Brooks, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. (free). See the complete line-up at www.TheBigE.com. 

Jonglieren!

Jonglieren is German for juggling, and you'll never believe what one man can do when Hilby The Skinny German Juggle Boy performs daily at 11a.m., 1:00, and 6:30 p.m. on the Court of Honor stage, sponsored by xfinity(r). This is a larger venue for the boy's "rivetingly absurd" (New York Times) act, so expect bigger effects and more music. Hilby is from Berlin, but travels the world with his crazy vaudeville act, juggling such absurd items as an electric hedge trimmer, a bowling ball, and a flaming beanie baby. Hilby still performs worldwide, but you can catch him at The Big E starting Sept. 13.

It's Bacon!

Blessed bacon is available in wondrous variety at The Big E, and attendees can get an early start at the Big E-Z Café where they can find one of the Fair's popular Craz-E Burgers. And since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, or so they say, there's something new at the café: a breakfast sandwich of egg and bacon on a grilled glazed donut. (Might be good to brush your teeth afterwards - we're just saying).

The Ultimate BBQ in the Food Court has a new signature sandwich for The Big E this year, called "Three Pigs in a Bun." This taste treat includes pork sausage, pulled pork, and, naturally, bacon. There is even chocolate dipped bacon for sale.

Not Technically Bacon!

OK, just joking, but watching Swifty Swine Racing Pigs run every day outside the Mallary Rotunda is seriously fun. The pigs compete, not for love, or money, or to avoid - horrors! - being eaten. They compete for the Oreo cookie they know is waiting for them on a silver platter at the finish line. Come wonder at "America's Fastest Swine."

Fair hours:
Gates open: 8 a.m.
Buildings & Exhibits: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Avenue of States: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Storrowton Village: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Craft Common: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Midway: Sun. - Fri. 11 a.m. to 10 pm., Sat. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Big E, the largest fair in the Northeast, is located in West Springfield, Mass., and is home to The Big E Cream Puff and Craz-E Burger. It's a New England extravaganza with top name entertainment, Circus Spectacular, The Avenue of States, Storrowton Village Museum, animals, competitive exhibits, rides, shopping, crafts, a daily parade and a Mardi Gras parade, and foods from around the world - for 17 days, Sept. 13 - 29, 2013. Learn more at www.TheBigE.com 


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7-25-13
Hunter Hayes is coming to The Big E

Hunter Hayes comes to The Big E on Sept. 20