Dylan Haviland – Special to The Southern News
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – As the upcoming autumn breeze sneaks in, all of New England congregates to the green fields of West Springfield, Mass. For sixteen days, the terrain is transformed into a lush gathering of vendors, animals and people. Creating what is fondly known as The Big E.
What immediately grabs the attention of the visitors is the stands, endlessly stacked together selling diverse products. Amongst a single row of vendors, wares range from antique wood carvings to give a homestead a cozy look, to Grateful Dead tapestries under a tent. One that caught the eyes and ears of visitors was the, “Jos. Clark & Son Blacksmith.” Once inside, visitors and Big E veterans alike witness two gentlemen in 19th century attire working meticulously in a blacksmith shop. With precise hammering and a keen eye for detail, it was obvious that this festival did not bring in amateurs.
“The shop operates all year around with school programs,” said Bob Delisle of Jos. Clark & Son Blacksmith. “They come in here and do all sorts of tasks a young apprentice would be doing.” It was clear that Delisle, who has been working at the blacksmith since 1980, was firmly rooted in the tradition of the festival. Forging not only antique metal but learning experiences for all children.
Following the crowd of visitors you’ll soon come across the food vendors. Which to put it lightly offer delicacies you wouldn’t believe until you see. The aroma of the area drew attention to stands selling foodstuffs ranging from chocolate covered bacon with bacon sprinkled on top, fried mushrooms at the “Osborn Mushroom Farm (“The best mushrooms you’ll ever eat,” said Audrey Russell chef of the establishment) or the famous Craz-E Burger. If there was ever was an extravagant burger then the Craz-E certainly settles the bet, two glazed donuts acting as the buns between a bacon cheeseburger.
Next stop would be the animal exhibits, encompassing multiple buildings and a petting zoo (Watch out for the elephant). Along this path farmers and nature lovers from all walks of life gather to give some insight on their lives with farm animals. One of these farmers was Terri Lawtn of Oake Knoll Farm, Mass. Confidently inspecting all the cows and feeding them, Lawtn knew a thing or two about being at The Big E. “It’s all about excitement at The Big E,” said Lawtn. “But the most important thing for me is the cows.”
Certainly one could tell that animals where a passion not only for Lawtn but all the other New Englanders that brought and arrived to watch the livestock.The fair offered many opportunities for people to become involved with the animals. Nancy Buddington of “Guys, Gals and Goats” a 4-H program in New England, brought in younger students to take care of the animals and gain firsthand experience of what goes on in the pens.
As the day came to an end and the last pig race came to an outstanding finish, it truly becomes clear what The Big E is all about. If you come to the festival, you are taking part in a community unlike any other. It is all a group effort to make every aspect of the fair unique and entertaining. The type of people you will converse with come from all walks of life, whether they are mushroom farmers or a contestant prepping up their cow for the big show. They all have stories of their own to share, and until the 28th anyone can be a part of the human experience that is The Big E.
