Your Facebook memories are showing you fun photos of you and your squad enjoying cream puffs, midway rides, craft beer, the Big Yellow Slide and so many things that The Big E is known for. How can you recreate those fun times without the ACTUAL Big E? We have some ideas!

Big E Food To-Go! Get authentic Fair food favorites Tuesdays through Sundays, September 22-October 18, at The Big E! Tickets are $5 per vehicle per time slot and they go on sale September 17th. Food vendors change weekly so keep checking here to get more tickets each week!

All September-long, The Fort Fair Food is happening at the legendary Student Prince in Springfield. You’ll find some of your Big E faves here including roasted turkey drumsticks, poutine, seafood chowder in a bread bowl and so much more. They’ve created a festive, street-fair atmosphere on Fort Street so make your reservations

The Big E New England Craft Beer Pub is happening at The Log Cabin this year! This Big E favorite features at least 18 regional beers and ciders on tap, outdoor live entertainment (weather permitting), and of course Big E inspired food like the famous Turducken Sandwich, Mick’s Irish Nachos and the well-known Big E Cream Puff. Indoor and outdoor tables with amazing views available, all socially distanced at 10 feet apart. Food purchase required and reservations are strongly encouraged.

Missing the rides? Sonny’s Place has plenty of options to fill your need for speed! From go-carts to a carousel, mini-golf to zip lines, Sonny’s has enhanced cleaning protocols and safety measures firmly in place.

If your super-into go-carting, check out Pioneer Valley Indoor Karting where they offer high-speed gas carting plus axe throwing in case you have some adrenaline left after your ride!

What about the animals? With two great zoos, Western Mass can definitely fulfill your need to fill the Big E void when it comes to furry creatures. The Zoo in Forest Park promotes learning about the animals who live there to better understand their specific stories and species. Many animals who call The Zoo home have been deemed non-releasable to the wild.

As if one zoo isn’t enough, the Lupa Zoo is a 20 acre park with zebras, otters, camels, monkeys and more. Both zoos recommend that you purchase tickets online.

Next year, The Big E will be back better than ever! Until then, Western Mass is keeping the tradition alive.