The Big E with the kids -- 2019 edition!

I once again snuck out to the Big E this morning without the girls (I'm taking them after school so they don't mind too much) because I wanted to be able to give you a 2019 tips and tricks guide for when you visit with your kiddos. The good news? The Big E is just the same as it was last year. And the year before. And the year before that. But there are a few new things to note so here ya go:

We'll start at the back of the fairgrounds at Gate 9:

• There is now a cream puff stand at Gate 9A! I repeat! Get your cream puffs as soon as you enter from Gate 9A OR take them home with you right before you leave. 
• Milkshakes for only $1.50 at the 4-H Milk Booth near the butter sculpture (Mallary Complex) -- these are really more like flavored milk but kids can choose from chocolate, vanilla or strawberry. 
• Also, look for the Christmas tree display near the Mallary Complex --  a nice place to let the kids free to explore -- it's never too busy back here. There is a lovely pond landscape and some paved pathways where toddlers can safely get some stroller freedom and stretch their legs.
• If your kids love the animatronic veggie show in the Farm-A-Rama building  (who am I kidding -- I'm the one who loves this) don't miss the singing refrigerator show in the Mallary Complex.
• This is also where you can see all the livestock being shown at the fair -- it's worth a walk through as many farms participating also have educational displays for the kids. Here you can see live sheep shearing daily at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. You can also see goat milking at 9:30 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. 
• Look out for the Stella's Milk & Cookies food cart which offers a great value for feeding a crowd: a bucket of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies for $16 or a cone of cookies for $8.
• Also consider the Fluffys Donuts Jumbo Donuts for $8. These are some of the most beautiful treats at the fair (think unicorn donut. It's a thing). 
• The Orphaned Wildlife Center is worth a look (big wooden trailer that reads Bear Country). Admission is only $2/person or 2/$3 to go inside the trailer and look at some bears; however, even without paying the entry fee there is a neat educational display about rescuing and rehabilitating injured or abandoned wildlife. 
• The Wine & Cheese bar is also located in this area of the fairgrounds. There is a FREE wine tasting daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
• Don't miss the Mutts Gone Nuts comedy dog show outside the Mallary Complex daily at 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. & 6 p.m.
• Tons of Pokemon, Minecraft, Paw Patrol and plush as prizes on the Midway so be prepared for that battle with the kids.
• You can purchase a Midway Express Access Wristband for $15 which grants your kids an express line for rides -- a separate line just for kids with express wristbands. Note: you still must buy ride tickets OR a ride wristband. This $15 fee is in addition to ride cost. 
• Giant slide is still $2/ride (don't forget to save your post slide coupon for a FREE medium french fry at New England McDonald's locations). New burlap to sit on this year. It makes for a faster ride. Like, way faster. 

Avenue of the States:

• Omar Coffee at the entrance to the Avenue of States -- best cup of coffee at the fair. (Can't beat the large coffee and ginormous apple fritter for $6.00 -- enough to share). 
• If you're looking for an inexpensive souvenir that will survive the car ride home, there is a small display of Hot Wheels vehicles for sale for only $2 in the CT building. 
• Also in the CT Building, check out the state police display before you exit out the side door -- kids can try on uniforms and take pictures at a selfie station. 
• My new (to me) favorite treat is the maple iced coffee and pumpkin chocolate chip cookie with cream cheese frosting for sale in the CT Building. Amazing. 
• If you're the type to start your holiday shopping at the Big E, the Vermont Building has bottles of pure maple syrup in the shape of gingerbread men for only $10. They're even wearing Santa hats! (#adore)
• There are cups of fresh raspberries or dried cranberries for only $1 in the MA Building near the talking cow.
• There are also bucket sundaes for only $6.50 near Henrietta (the talking cow). This is a steal if your kids are good sharers. Much cheaper than buying individual ice creams. Plus you can reuse the cute little bucket they come in. 
• The Massachusetts building has a great tourism booth. Stop by and see my friend and booth manager, Matt Peabody, on the weekends and tell him I said "hi." You can take a selfie with the Cat in the Hat here too. 
• Visit Cold Hollow Cider Mill in the VT Building for a large apple cider slushie for $3.  
• New Hampshire Building food deal: roasted ears of corn on the cob are $3.50. 
• Two "Ultimate Maine Hot Dogs" for $8.00 located outside the back of the Maine Building. 
• You can't beat the pulled pork baked potato from Danny's located outside the CT Building. It's twice the price of the Maine potatoes, but it is ginormous and is a complete meal. 
• Super fun lobster trap photo opp in the Maine Building. (I'm a Catch!)

• There's a fun, interactive "Ride the Rails" exhibit outside of the Rhode Island building. 
• The display for the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular at the Roger Williams Zoo in the Rhode Island building is not-to-be-missed. Truly stunning (even if you're not a Halloween freak like me). 

• I always love the backyards of the state buildings as a great place to relax and let the kids run around in the grass. It's never overwhelmingly busy and you can usually find a spot at a picnic table. 
• Don't wait in line for the kettle corn behind the New Hampshire Building. Walk down to the kettle corn stand behind the Rhode Island building -- no wait and better taste, IMHO.
• DO NOT MISS the Timberworks Lumberjack Show at the top of the Avenue of the States -- it's SO fun. Plays daily at noon, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.  

Farm A Rama (Stroh Building): 

• Farm A Rama deserves it's own category since this is where you can really sneak in some learning time for the kiddos.
• The Farm to Table exhibit is a great place to let the littlest fair goers stretch their legs and play. They can grab a shopping basket and harvest some potatoes and apples and do some other produce shopping. They can grab an egg from a hen and milk a cow (pretend, of course). It's really fun. 
• Shiny apples (love, love, love the folks who shine the apples) are still only $.50. 
• Chick Hatchery! Enough said. 
• Mama pig and her piglets are a-dor-a-ble.
• Baby goats. Enough said. 
• Honey sticks are $.25 each at the Beekeeper's table. 
• The agriculture display are really top notch this year. The kids will love to see the crazy gourds, painted pumpkins and landscape vignettes.
• The Stroh Building offers bathrooms and a large, separate diaper changing station. You can wheel the stroller right into the space and there are lots of clean counter tops.
• There are lots of fun freebies for the kids in this building: Hood cow visors, coloring books, temporary tattoos, etc. 
• Make sure you stop and talk to the FFA kids with their displays. These kids work SO hard on their projects -- take a minute to ask about their work. 
• The Veggie Show, you guys? The animatronic veggie show with the weed?! It was BROKEN today! I was devastated! I hope it's back up soon. I mean, tradition, right?!.

Other scores: 

• Utter Delights Soft Serve is very good about food allergies. If you want to get your allergy kid a soft serve -- look for the blue awnings (and sprinkles are free). Kiddie size is only $3.
• The Circus shows daily at 1:00, 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Admission is FREE (but get there early to get seats). You can purchase premium seats for $10 each, otherwise seating is first come first served. 
• Soltar the fortune teller was located outside the Main Stage when I visited. Super fun. Make sure to try to catch his act. 
• The Granville Country Store food truck is located outside the Better Living Center. They're mac and cheese and cheddar melts (THE BEST around -- don't even argue with me) are $6 each. 
• Foozys socks in the Better Living Center has a fun deal with any 10 pairs of crazy socks for $20. Adult and child sizes. (They have Ramen socks. I repeat. Socks with Ramen noodles on them). 
• Fun photo opps in the "A Walk Through History" exhibit in the Eastern States Museum. 

Other notes:

• Gates open at 8:00 a.m.; however, I wouldn't recommend going that early with little kids. Even though you can get a great view of the animals this early -- there is a lot of vehicular traffic on the grounds. Delivery trucks, cars, etc. It's a little crazy. I wouldn't want to have to chase a little one during this time. All vehicles must be off the grounds by 9:30 a.m. so plan to enter fairgrounds then. All buildings open at 10 a.m. 
• Stroller rentals are $10/day. $15 for a double. Wagons and wheelchairs are also $15/day. Electric scooters run $50/day. The rental booth will keep your ID as collateral. Stroller rental can be found near Chevrolet Court along the main avenue or near Gate 9 in the rear of the fairgrounds.
• The 4-H section of the New England Center (think Cream Puffs building) usually has some hands-on activities for the kids. Again, take a minute to talk with the 4-H kids. You'd be surprised what you can learn! We enjoyed making our own slime, creating a tie-dye handkerchief, and learning how to solve a Rubik's cube. All for FREE. 

• The Green at Storrowton has a lot of shade and is another great spot to let the kids run around while you decompress for a few minutes. Not only can you tour the historic buildings here, there is usually an old-fashioned game going on or a demonstration of tool making or other interpretive event around the green. There's even a yoga class offered here every Saturday of the fair at 9 a.m. 
• The Mardi Gras parade runs at 5 p.m., Friday - Sunday at at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays. Catch some beads and you have a free souvenir for the kids. 

• If you want to leave the fair and return later that day -- be very careful of your hand stamp. They wash off very easily (and who doesn't want to wash their hands multiple times after leaving the Big E?!).

 

Comments

[Melissa]

Awesome list!!!! I took crew of 7 children and we ended up buying each of us .50 apples in mass. Building as well as .25 honey sticks and we shared a bag of maple cotton candy. There are a lot of great deals and ways to make a cheap meal if you know where to look, we usually get the cheese from Vermonttoo, but had ryker, with milk allergy, so we sadly stayed away from it today. Since we have season passes and go a lot, we need to find cheap ways to feel like we are splurging, the kids ranted and raved about the apples today, they were definitely the best apples i have had in a long time! The free circus is always amazing (except you can pay a pretty penny if you get a snack there...so expensive!!!) and the yellow slide is worth the price totally bc (at least every year so far) you get free French fry coupon at mcdonalds for each ride...kids special treat on way home bc we literally NEVER get eat out fries.! :)

[Linda Stauch]

Great info, looking forward to many trips to the fair this year.