THE BIG E

The Big E, also known as New England’s “Great state fair” is one of the largest on the east coast and the 7th largest in the USA.  This is a place that serves deep fried Kool Aid people.  I eat clean regularly so I can feast on all things rolled in a ball and thrown into a deep fryer at events like this. When I heard they would be serving deep fried butter, I knew I had to take the 3 hour drive to test the limits of my heart.  Here’s what to do and see at the Big E next year!  

Indulge in all things that would break your scale in half

The Craz-E-burger -  This bacon cheeseburger between a glazed donut is the sweet and savory combo that will make you click your heels together in song and dance.  The cheeseburger is perfectly cooked and topped with two pieces of crisp bacon.  The salty juice drips down onto the sweet glazed doughnut, and the bacon gives it that great crunchy texture.  At only $7 a pop, it’s definitely a must try!

Chompers Bacon Cheeseburger Balls-  These deep fried balls of goodness are NOT to be missed.  They are fried to PERFECTION, crisp on the outside, and filled with juicy ground beef, bacon and melted cheese on the inside.  Dunk these bad boys in some ketchup and try not to go cross-eyed in ecstasy. An order of 6 came to $8.

Marion’s Deep Fried Dough- This vendor is Willy Wonka’s dream come to life.  They deep fry jelly beans, Oreos, Kool Aid and butter just to name a few.  The fried Kool Aid is a mix of Marion’s batter and red Kool Aid powder, and once out of the fryer it resembles a red zeppole.  In case that isn’t enough it is then sprinkled with more Kool Aid powder because WHY NOT.  I didn’t try it but it was one of the most popular items on the menu.  I did try the deep fried butter and Oreos.  The Oreos were your standard deep fried treat that has become popular at festivals all over the country.  Deep fried butter however?  Better have the medics on hand.  It had more batter surrounding it than what I expected and the result was a beautiful fresh pillow of carbs surrounding a big melting glob of butter.  It tasted like a sweet, warm BUTTERY loaf of bread right out of the oven.  I’m glad I got to say I tried deep fried butter.  My integrity is gone.

Other unique eats I saw were footlong corn dogs, 18 inch bratwursts, chocolate and bacon covered french fries and alligator burgers!

Hang with all the cute animals
Is there anything cuter than watching puppies run obstacle courses?  I think not.  Take a seat in the arena, digest your fried cheesecake and watch these cute little creatures jump over surprisingly high hurdles.
Say hello to the camels that are just chillin, ride an elephant or feed the baby lambs and goats at the petting zoo.

There is a ton of different rides for both kids and adults, live music, shopping, exhibits, sculptures made entirely of butter, the list goes on and on!  Tickets are $15 for adults, and it’s about a 3 hour drive from New York City. This is the home of the most indulgent eats I have ever witnessed and I cannot wait to get back next year!