With nearly half a million people attending The Big E this past weekend, the fair shattered multiple of its previous attendance records.
The Big E lasts from Sept. 13-29 and is considered one of the largest fairs in the U.S. and Canada, according to Carnival Warehouse.
On opening weekend of the fair, there were a total of 275,444 fairgoers. This weekend saw 426,817 attendees.
Overall, 952,620 people have gone to The Big E so far this year.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday attendance numbers broke records.
Friday and Sunday broke daily attendance numbers, meaning it was the most people to ever attend The Big E on the second Friday and Sunday of the fair’s run.
Saturday broke an all-time single day attendance record with 178,608 people.
The number of fairgoers doesn’t just mean the amount of people who enjoy things like cream puffs, rides and shopping, it also reflects how much the Eastern State Exposition can do over the next year, Eugene J. Cassidy, president and chief executive officer, told The Republican.
Keeping the fair alive and thriving is especially vital for farmers, since the awards they receive means they can sell and breed their cattle at a higher price and helps improve the lineage of the animals.
“The value is they can share and exchange best practices,” he said.
About 87% of the Eastern States Exposition budget comes from the fair. After 30 years working there, Cassidy predicted the nonprofit would end up with a net income of $2.5 million after 2023′s fair. In a good year, it will top $4.5 million, Cassidy said.
