We're 22 days away!

It’s hard to believe but The Big E will be here in just three weeks from tomorrow, 8/27! You can really start to tell, too. Yesterday, I saw a crane carry a ticket booth past my window in the Brooks Building! It’s finally starting to feel like the Fair is in close range.

Even with 22 days left, there are a lot of things the grounds department are doing to prepare – so today, I took the golf cart and went to explore.

I put together this little video to show everyone what is happening :

Ticket booths are being placed at the gate entrances and tents are being set up around the grounds. They recently put the Farm-A-Rama sign on the sides of the Stroh building, which is one of my personal favorite buildings. I can’t wait to see the hatching chicks, tiny pigs and all the entertainment on the Farm-A-Rama stage!

I took a few shots of the Food Court, home of The Coffee Break which is now offering a whole new line of gastronomic delights including Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich, Fried Snickers, Fried Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bits and Frozen Hot Chocolate! Yummy! I can’t wait for all the food to get here!

Speaking of delicious new treats, everyone has to try the new Fried Jelly Beans this year on New England Avenue, near Gate 9A – sweet jelly beans rolled in funnel cake batter, fried until perfectly browned, and dusted with powdered sugar for the perfect soft, gooey treat. And maybe even Fried Butter, in plain or garlic, no less.

The Giant Slide stays up all year long, but doesn’t it look flashy? It was painted a fresh and bright new shade of yellow last month. And when you’re at The Big E this year, don’t miss the opportunity to check out the gorgeous new pond. It’s located right outside the Mallary Complex, and features benches, which are perfect for taking a short break from walking. The landscaping is so colorful and the gurgling water is so relaxing – and especially with the sun shining, I didn’t want to leave there today!

And of course, the bright blue Big E Gate banners are once again lining Memorial Ave!

There are still so many things left to do, and in just three weeks, this 175-acre fairground will transform into a magical place, filled with everything from smiling faces and competitive animals to tantalizing aromas and flashing lights. And I will be here to document it all… check back soon for another video documenting The Big E as it comes to life!

New! At the 2010 Big E

Opening day of The Big E will be here ONE MONTH from TODAY, and as you walk around the fairgrounds, you can feel it in the air! Everyone here at the Exposition is in full swing.

If you’ve looked at our website or been following our Facebook posts, we have five free, amazing concerts at the 2010 Big E! Country singer, Jason Michael Carroll, with special guest Jessie James will be here Friday, Sept. 24. On Saturday, Sept. 25, The Boys in Concert will be performing, a show which is reuniting the original stars of Broadway’s “Jersey Boys,” and rounding out that middle weekend on Sunday, Sept. 26 is American Idol contestant Danny Gokey. On the last weekend of the Fair, we have Boys Like Girls on Saturday, Oct. 2 and country singer Laura Bell Bundy on Sunday, Oct. 3.

All the performances will take place in the outdoor 6,000-seat Comcast Arena, and since it’s a free concert, it’s general admission seating. Pretty sweet to see a free show – but, if waiting in line isn’t your thing, you’re in luck. For the first time ever, The Big E is offering the chance to reserve a seat to any one of our free concerts for just $10! This way you will be guaranteed to have a close seat and you won’t miss that chance to ride the Giant Slide just one more time because you have to get in line ¬- what an awesome idea! If you’re interested, just head to TheBigE.com or The Big E Box Office and get your reserved ticket today.

There are also three ticketed concerts – pop sensation Owl City (Sat. Sept. 18), ventriloquist and winner of America’s Got Talent, Terry Fator (Sun. Sept 19) and country star Miranda Lambert, with guest stars Eric Church and Josh Kelley (Fri. Oct 1). Tickets to all three are still available at TheBigE.com and The Big E Box Office – the ticket price even includes your admission to The Big E so you can come in the afternoon, eat tons of delicious goodies, visit Farm-A-Rama, take a ride on the Giant Wheel, watch the Daily Parade at 5 p.m. and then see a top-notch performer that evening!

If you’ve been to The Big E in the past, you’ve probably seen the Mardi Gras parade, with the giant, authentic floats, flashing lights and costumed revelers who toss beads out to the fairgoers. Well this year, The Big E is offering a surprise: YOU can be in the center of the Big Easy excitement by purchasing a $10 ticket to ride the float! We will dress you up and give you a load of beads to toss to the fairgoers as you ride a float throughout the parade route. A limited number of tickets are available online at TheBigE.com and at The Big E Box office, so get your friends and family together for this once in a lifetime opportunity!

I’m getting more and more excited about The Big E as the days go on. My mouth waters every time I type the word Big E Cream Puff – I can’t wait until it’s finally Fairtime! How about you, what are you most excited for?

The Musicians Hall of Fame comes to the 2010 Big E

Big E Special Events Director, John Juliano, recently got confirmation that a very special exhibit will be coming to the 2010 fair – The Musicians Hall of Fame! Located in the Young Building, there will be displays, artifacts and instruments, videos, music and histories of many of American’s greatest artists, including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Cash.

The museum, which was originally housed in Nashville, closed earlier this year and was demolished to make way for the city’s new Music City Convention Center. Joe Chambers, MHOF Founder, is looking for a place to relocate, but is currently unsure of where or when.

In this rare opportunity, we will see many of the Musicians Hall of Fame’s original exhibits including drum sets, gold records, bass guitars, six string electric guitars and clothing. Also included will be the recording machine that Elvis used to make his first record, a gift for his mother, which led to Sam Phillips signing him to the label and releasing "That's Alright Mama," and Hal Blaine's blue sparkle Ludwig Drum Kit - the actual kit used on most of the Beach Boys, The Mamas & The Papas, Byrds, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, and the Carpenters’ albums.

There’s always so much more that goes into the production of a song than just what you hear on the final album. So whether you are a jazz music buff or an occasional lover of rock and roll, it’s going to be pretty cool! Discover the magic inside the Musicians Hall of Fame exhibit at the 2010 Big E.

Everyone is getting into full swing, as the fair is only 49 days away! I can’t believe how fast time has gone by – Do you think summer is going by fast, too? A lot of ESE people were on vacation the past two weeks, now it’s full speed for the busy (and exciting) times ahead in the months of August and September.

The Marketing department is working with the graphic designer on the Program and Coupon book, and so far the completed pages look awesome. It’s the official guidebook of The Big E and the best way to ensure you don’t miss anything here on your visit. There are descriptions of all the events and exhibits, a daily schedule, the lists of vendors and sponsors, and of course, who doesn’t love coupons?! Some people love having everything planned out before the Fair and already know where all their favorite spots are, while others just like to wander around and stumble upon hidden Big E gems. Either way, the 2010 Fair is filled with many new exhibits and old favorites. How do you usually navigate around The Big E?

We’ve also been working closely with our ad agency, Mascola, as we prepare to launch the 2010 print, radio and TV ads and promotions. Our theme this year is “The Last Blast of Summer” so be sure to be on the look out!