The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has announced an assembly of 20 Maine-owned businesses and organizations confirmed for the Maine Building at the 2023 Eastern States Exposition, The Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
The Big E is the only multi-state fair in the country and, since 1917, has exemplified a tradition of showcasing agricultural producers, artisans, and culinary artisans, according to a news release from the department.
The event is scheduled Friday, Sept. 15 to Sunday, Oct. 1. The Maine Building on the Avenue of States, alongside pavilions representing Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, is the centerpiece of the Big E fair experience, attracting 1.6 million visitors in 2022, promoting economic growth through tourism while delivering the welcoming hospitality that defines Maine, the department notes.
2023 Maine Building Exhibitors
Batch by Scratch All Natural Ice Cream — Augusta
Dailey Woodworking and Friends — Carthage
Doles Orchard Box Shop — Limington
Maine Aquaculture Association — Gardiner
Maine Craft Cider and Beer — Portland
Maine Lobster Rolls — Harpswell
Maine Office of Tourism — Augusta
Maine Potato Board — Presque Isle
Maine Wines/eighteentwenty wines — Portland
MARTINI Jewels — Biddeford
Meet on the Street — Portland
Pineland Farms Cheese — Bangor
Pussums Cat Company — Turner
Sunshine Apothecary — Newport
The Good Crust — Canaan
Tree of Life Maple Farm — Dennistown
Tripp’s Farmhouse Café — Auburn
Valley View Orchard Pies — Oxford
Winter Whimsies — Scarborough
Woodfired Pizza — Portland
Maine Day at the Big E, celebrated Saturday, Sept. 16, begins at the Maine Building at 9:45 a.m. with vendors, trustees, ambassadors and officials, including Gov. Janet Mills, welcoming guests. An opening ceremony is set for 9:45 a.m. on the building’s front lawn. At 10 a.m., the Maine Building opens its doors with a ribbon cutting, and visitors can shop and experience some of Maine’s products and brands. While Maine Day activities are staged on the front lawn, shopping continues throughout the day.
Elements of the day, starting at 10 a.m., include the Maine Forest Rangers, with Smokey Bear; Maine trivia at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.; and the Maine Day “Big E Parade” in front of the Maine Building at 6 p.m.
Items on sale in the Maine Building on Maine Day and throughout the 17 days of Big E include Maine baked potatoes, wild blueberry products, lobster rolls, whoopie pies, and Maine maple products. The Maine Building will also feature food trucks, homemade ice cream and smoked salmon on a stick.
Visitors and shoppers also arrive at the Maine Building in search of Maine craft cider, beer, and wines. Artisans and makers of items such as hand-carved wood items, jewelry, and skincare products will also be featured.
Ticket prices range from $12 to $70, with children 5 and younger free.
Big E gates open at 8 a.m. Avenue of States hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
For more information, visit thebige.com.
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