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Saturday may have started off a bit rainy, but that didn’t stop fairgoers from making it to The Big E in droves, nearly reaching the fair’s all-time attendance record for a single day.
The fair in West Springfield reported there were 176,498 attendees at the fair Saturday, marking the highest number of fairgoers in a single day this 2023 season. The all-time record for single-day attendance is 177,789 fairgoers, set Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.
Attendance at The Big E on Saturday was much stronger than it was on Friday, when rainfall was sweeping across the state. Only 46,674 people went to fair that day, marking the third-lowest turnout on a single day this season. On Monday, Sept. 25, 37, 981 attendees were recorded, and on Monday, Sept. 18, 16,549 attendees were recorded, according to The Big E.
Earlier this week, there was record-breaking turnout at The Big E. On Thursday, the fair saw 108,962 guests, the first six-figure day of the 2023 season and a daily attendance record, and on Wednesday, the fair saw 95,689 guests, another daily attendance record, according to The Big E.
Between increased ticket prices and inclement weather this September, some people have said they have not been attending the fair like they did in the past. The precipitation and low attendance have led to a decline in sales among food vendors at The Big E as well.
In 2022, most weekend attendance numbers ranged from 87,000 to 177,789 fairgoers per day. In 2023, weekend attendance numbers have ranged from 69,042 to 176,498 people per day. In total, 1.256 million people have attended The Big E in the 2023 season.
On Sunday, the last day of The Big E’s 2023 run, dry, quiet and warmer weather is expected. Areas of fog are forecast before 10 a.m. Otherwise, sunny skies and a high of around 76 degrees are anticipated.
