WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The Eastern States Exposition -- The Big E -- is 100 years in the making, and Friday morning the gates opened to celebrate the centennial of the annual six-state fair.
Deep in tradition, and deep in frying, the low humidity and pleasant temperatures brought throngs of people to day one of the Big E.
"There are a lot of happy people and the weather is awesome," said Big E President and CEO Gene Cassidy. "There are new foods , great entertainment and I'm happy to be celebrating 100 years."
Cassidy mentioned that 44 percent of the fair's guests come from Connecticut.
The Big E runs through October 2 and the always popular "Connecticut Day" is set for September 21. For more information and for instructions on how to download the new Big E App, click here.