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Memorial Avenue construction started 1 week before Big E

Vaseline September 8, 2024

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) — The Big E is just a week away and preparations for the fair are currently in full swing, despite the ongoing construction along Memorial Avenue.

Western Mass News spoke with workers and suppliers who told us that construction has had minimal impact on their operations so far. Not only are they ready for the Big E, but they are also looking forward to the weeks ahead.

“It’s a great event to be a part of, it really showcases all of New England and beyond and I’m just glad to be a part of it,” said EJ Dean.

Friday marks just one week until the Big E in West Springfield officially opens for the 2024 season.

“Building the fair is hard, but we’ve been doing it for 108 years, so we know how to do it right,” Gene Cassidy explains.

We spoke with Gene Cassidy, President and CEO of Eastern States Expositions, who told us that the fairgrounds are becoming more lively each day before the gates officially open.

“Overnight, the size of the event doubles,” Cassidy noted. “There are 175 acres to be built on six days of the year that the Eastern States Expositions become the second largest city in Massachusetts.”

Western Mass News raised concerns about the ongoing construction along Memorial Avenue. Cassidy explained that the construction has not impacted the fair’s preparations and will not pose a problem for the Big E on opening day.

“Once the fair is open, the construction project for the avenue will stop producing the Big E, so it might be a tough road to take right now. If we’re in next week, construction will stop until the fair is over,” Cassidy said.

Other Big E exhibitors told us that while it is hard work to transform the exhibition buildings for the Big E, it is also something they look forward to every year.

“It’s obviously a lot of work to do what we’ve done on this scale, but it’s going smoothly and the staff here have kept a close eye on everything that was needed and are looking forward to next week,” Dean added.

Western Mass News reached out to the West Springfield Public Works Department, who told us that they are working hard to complete construction along Memorial Avenue and that the area will be open in time for the Big E.