News

Big E fair in Mass. sets attendance record

WEST SPRINGFIELD (AP) - Organizers of New England's largest fair, the Big E, say more than 1.3 million people have attended over the past two weeks, setting a new record.

The fair at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass., kicked off Sept. 14 and ends Sunday night.

Big E communications manager Catherine Pappas says the previous record was 1.26 million set in 2009. She says the record was broken Saturday when nearly 101,500 people came through the gates and pushed total attendance to nearly 1.29 million.

Pappas says the final attendance total should be well over 1.3 million. She credited an expanded marketing effort, good weather and media coverage.

The annual fair features carnival rides, food and goods from all six New England states, animal exhibitions and music concerts.