After record-breaking attendance, The Big E seeks to disperse crowds in 2025
The Big E is seeking to avoid crowding issues, which stemmed from record-breaking attendance last year, by offering half-priced tickets for this year's fair.
The fair is hosting a flash sale from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday where weekday tickets, which normally cost $21.50, will be priced at $10.75.
'The midweek tickets aim to promote the Fair's fantastic entertainment offerings and highlight the best days to come to the Fair,' a press release read. 'We hope this becomes part of how people plan their Fair visit, making it a mini getaway in the middle of the week. It's a fresh way to experience the Fair, and this flash sale is the perfect reason to give it a try!'
Customers can purchase up to eight tickets. Tickets are valid only one weekday of The Big E, Monday through Thursday.
Tickets are exclusively available on The Big E's website.
The sale was announced after The Big E broke an all-time total attendance record by welcoming 1,633,935 people in 2024.
As one of the largest fairs in the U.S. and Canada, the 175-acre West Springfield event also broke its all-time single daily attendance record at 178,608 attendees on Sept. 21, and reported seven attendance records broken over the course of this year's 17-day fair, with five of them in a row.
The Big E now nears — or far surpasses — daily attendance numbers of the 375-acre The Great New York State Fair and the 277-acre Texas State Fair.
Last year's fair led may fairgoers to be concerned for their safety due to large crowds. Multiple viral social media videos showed gridlocked crowds across The Big E, with some fairgoers becoming concerned for their safety.
'It was almost impossible to walk through, because there were so many people,' Alice Flyte, of Westfield, previously told MassLive.
'I was just totally amazed at how full it was,' the 74-year-old said while describing lines of well over 20 people at every food stand and restroom and 'gridlocked' paths.
Flyte was one of 49 people who told MassLive last year they felt unsafe at the fair over that weekend. Others said they experienced varying degrees of feeling secure with their family.
The Eastern States Exposition said it was prepared for the crowds.
'In preparation for these large crowds, Eastern States Exposition increased its security detail and worked closely with law enforcement and emergency service partners to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all,' a statement to MassLive read. 'Thanks to these efforts, only minor incidents occurred, with just one arrest related to a domestic matter in the parking lot — an outstanding safety ratio given the high volume of attendees.'
The Big E takes place from Sept. 12 to Sept. 28.
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Read the original article on MassLive.
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