Attendees enjoy Big E despite tough economy

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - It's never hard to tell when the Big E is in town because all roads leading into West Springfield become jam packed with cars.

The sights, sounds, and smells of the Big E draw more than a million people every year.

And the enticing fried food can hypnotize almost anyone, but nearly everything at the fair comes at a price.

“Now that you see everything, it's something that you should plan and start your piggy bank tomorrow for next year, because there's a lot of beautiful things here, amazing things,” Liz Lewis told 22News.

Even though items are 3, 4, 8 dollars, that can add up fast but it's something that people say they anticipate and they save up for.

In tough economic times when gas prices in the area are now close to 4 dollars a gallon, any expense can seem like burden, but for some, this is the vacation they've saved up for.

“I had a friend of mine at one time that always said that the general public saves their nickels for fairtime, even during the Depression they saved their nickels and pennies so they could go to the fair and enjoy themselves,” Marty Brick said.

And it seems like New Englanders especially soak up the fair.

“New England is special as far as people coming out, I'm not saying other fairs aren't as well but I think this is especially true here,” Maryann Brick said.

Despite tighter budgets, people say the fair is the place where you can actually stick to a budget.

Phil Delmazio said “You can get by here and spend a couple bucks and have a great time or you can spend a lot more and have a good time just as well.”