[ ♪♪♪ ] >> FOR THE PEOPLE OF NEW ENGLAND, THE EXPOSITION HAS BECOME A TRADITION, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS ON THEIR CALENDAR AS THAT FIRST LEAF FALLS OR YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN LATE AUGUST, AND PEOPLE EVEN SAY, "IT'S BIG E WEATHER."

>> AND AS YOU MAKE YOUR WAY FROM VERMONT TO MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, CONNECTICUT, RHODE ISLAND, IT'S LIKE YOU'RE TAKING THIS LITTLE MINI TRIP IN JUST A FEW HOURS AND I DON'T KNOW OF ANYWHERE ELSE IN AMERICA THAT ONE CAN DO THAT.

>> LOOKING OUT THE BUS, THE GREAT BIG BUS THAT TAKES THE 4-H KIDS, YOU KNOW, EVEN GOING THROUGH THE MASS PIKE AND GOING THROUGH THOSE CAVERNS, YOU KNOW, TO ME AS A NINE-YEAR-OLD, WHERE THEY ARE CARVED THROUGH THE MOUNTAINSIDE, IT WAS ALL PART OF AN ADVENTURE THAT REALLY -- THE BIG E WAS REALLY EYE-OPENING, IT'S REALLY THE FIRST EXPOSURE TO THE WORLD.

>> ANY TIME SOMEONE OR SOMETHING TURNS 100, IT IS WORTH CELEBRATING AND WORTH CELEBRATING APPROPRIATELY.

THIS IS THE TIME TO LOOK BACK, TO REFLECT, TO THINK ABOUT FROM WHERE WE HAVE COME AND WHERE WE WANT TO BE.

[ ♪♪♪ ] >> SUPPORT FOR 100 YEARS ON THE AVENUE, THE STORY OF THE BIG E IS PROVIDED BY... [ ♪♪♪ ] >> THE EXPOSITION WOULD NOT EXIST IF IT WERE NOT FOR JOSHUA BROOKS.

HIS ORIGINAL IDEA WAS TO BRING TOGETHER AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY AND ALL THE PEOPLES OF NEW ENGLAND TO THIS ONE MASSIVE EVENT WHERE WE CELEBRATE ALL THAT IS NEW ENGLAND.

HE WAS A STRONG, COMMANDING INDIVIDUAL.

PEOPLE LISTENED TO HIM AND HE WAS ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH A GREAT DEAL TO GET THIS OFF THE GROUND.

>> AND HE RECOGNIZED THAT HERE IN THIS REGION, THE FARMER WAS HAVING A HARD TIME COMPETING WITH LARGE FARMS THAT WERE DEVELOPING OUT IN THE MIDWEST AND THE SOUTHWEST AND HE THOUGHT THAT HE COULD PERHAPS BUILD A SHOWCASE TO AMALGAMATE THE EFFORTS OF THE FARMING INDUSTRY HERE IN NEW ENGLAND.

>> THAT ORIGINAL IDEA HAS BECOME WHAT WE KNOW TODAY AS THE BIG E, AND FOR THE PAST 100 YEARS, THESE 175 ACRES IN WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS HAVE BEEN HOME TO NEW ENGLAND'S GREAT STATE FAIR.

FOR 17 DAYS IN LATE SUMMER, PEOPLE COME FROM THROUGHOUT THE REGION TO EXPERIENCE THE RIDES, TASTE THE FOOD, LISTEN TO THE MUSIC AND WATCH THE ANIMALS.

IT'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE ALL THAT NEW ENGLAND HAS TO OFFER.

IT WAS AN IDEA THAT WAS FIRST HATCHED BACK IN 1916, AND SINCE THEN, THE BIG E HAS BECOME AN INSTITUTION.

IT'S THE ONLY FAIR IN THE COUNTRY TO HAVE THE PARTICIPATION OF MORE THAN ONE STATE; AND FROM THE COAST OF MAINE TO THE SHORES OF CONNECTICUT AND BEYOND, THE BIG E HAS BEEN A SHOWCASE FOR AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY AS WELL AS A REFLECTION OF NEW ENGLAND'S TIME-HONORED TRADITIONS.

[ ♪♪♪ ] >> IN THE EARLY PART OF THE 20TH CENTURY, THE NORTHEAST WAS FOCUSED ON INDUSTRY, MANUFACTURING, BUSINESS, COMMERCE, AND MOST PEOPLE HAD ALL BUT FORGOTTEN ABOUT THEIR ROOTS IN AGRICULTURE.

>> JOSHUA LORING BROOKS SELDOM DID ANYTHING WITHOUT PLANNING.

IN FACT, HE HAD CARRIED THE IDEA FOR AN AGRICULTURAL EXPOSITION AROUND IN HIS HEAD FOR SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE TAKING ACTION.

HE LEFT HIS SCHOOLING AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY NEAR THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY AND HEADED TO WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS TO FOLLOW IN HIS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS OF RUNNING HIS OWN LITHOGRAPHY BUSINESS.

HE FORMED THE BROOKS BANK NOTE COMPANY IN SPRINGFIELD AND TOOK UP RESIDENCE IN THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM.

>> HE FELL IN LOVE WITH THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM AND OPERATED A FARM OF OVER 300 ACRES BACK WHEN IT WAS EXTREMELY RURAL AND MOUNTAINOUS.

>> AS A GENTLEMAN FARMER, HE WOULD TELL HIS FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES "IF THE FARMER FAILS TO ADOPT THE RESOURCES OF BOTH SCIENCE AND BUSINESS, HE CANNOT HOLD HIS OWN.

UNLESS NEW ENGLAND FARMERS ARE SUCCESSFUL, HER INDUSTRIES WILL SUFFER."

BEING THE PERSUASIVE MAN THAT HE WAS, BROOKS RALLIED MANY OF HIS CONTEMPORARIES TO JOIN WITH HIM TO FORM THE EASTERN STATES MOVEMENT.

>> WITH THESE THINGS IN MIND, HE HATCHED THE IDEA OF THIS ENTERPRISE TO PROTECT INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE FOR THIS REGION, TO DRIVE THE ECONOMY, TO BUILD JOBS, TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAD A MEANS BY WHICH TO MAKE A LIVING.

>> WHEN BROOKS DECIDED TO LAUNCH THE FIRST EXPOSITION, HE WANTED IT TO BE BIG.

HE HAD ACQUIRED SOME AGRICULTURAL LAND IN WEST SPRINGFIELD.

HE THEN CONVINCED SEVERAL LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS TO TAKE A TRIP TO CHICAGO TO TRY AND LURE THE NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW TO COME TO WEST SPRINGFIELD.

>> WORD CAME TO HIM THAT THE NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW, BASED IN CHICAGO, THE NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION PEOPLE WERE NOT GOING TO BE HAVING A SHOW.

THERE WAS A TERRIBLY CONTAGIOUS DISEASE AFFECTING HUNDREDS OF HUNDREDS OF CATTLE -- HOOF AND MOUTH DISEASE.

JOSHUA BROOKS SAW THIS AS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY; THEIR LOSS WAS SPRINGFIELD'S GAIN AS FAR AS HE WAS CONCERNED.

>> HE WENT TO CHICAGO WITH A GROUP OF MEN.

THEY CHARTERED A PRIVATE RAILROAD CAR, WENT OUT TO CHICAGO AND ACTUALLY CONVINCED THAT BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO MOVE A NATIONAL LIVESTOCK SHOW HERE TO WHAT WAS THEN PRETTY MUCH A SWAMP IN WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

AND I THINK IT TOOK A LOT OF MOXIE TO GET THAT DONE BECAUSE WHEN THEY MADE THE SALE, THERE WERE NO FACILITIES HERE WHATSOEVER.

>> WITH ONLY NINE MONTHS' TIME, WORK BEGAN ON THE BUILDINGS TO HOST THE FIRST FAIR, A COLISEUM WAS BUILT AS THE CENTERPIECE OF THE FAIRGROUNDS FOLLOWED BY STABLES AND OTHER SIDE BUILDINGS.

IT WAS BROOKS' VISION TO CREATE A REGIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL FAIR THAT COULD PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND DEMONSTRATIONS OF NEW FARMING METHODS.

IT WOULD ALSO SPONSOR SOME KIND OF REGIONAL COOPERATION BETWEEN AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY.

>> THERE WAS ENTERTAINMENT; THERE WAS MUSIC.

THE GROUNDS WERE NOT LAID OUT YET AND THE ROADWAYS WERE PRETTY PRIMITIVE, BUT PEOPLE EXPECTED THAT BECAUSE MOST ROADWAYS WERE NOT THAT SOPHISTICATED EXCEPT FOR MAJOR HIGHWAYS.

>> THE 1916 FAIR WAS DEEMED A SUCCESS AND ALTHOUGH THE NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW WOULD NEVER RETURN AFTER THAT FIRST YEAR, THE EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION HAD BEEN LAUNCHED AND BROOKS' VISION FOR AN ANNUAL AUTUMN EXTRAVAGANZA HAD BEEN REALIZED.

ATTENDANCE THAT FIRST YEAR REACHED 45,000 PEOPLE AND IT MARKED THE LARGEST ARRAY OF PURE BRED DAIRY CATTLE EVER DISPLAYED IN A SINGLE SITE, BREAKING ALL RECORDS SET IN THE MIDWEST.

THE OUTBREAK OF WORLD WAR I WOULD INTERRUPT THE 1918 FAIR, AS THE GROUNDS WERE USED FOR MILITARY PURPOSES.

THIS WAS A ONE-YEAR INTERRUPTION AND BY 1919, THE GROUNDS WERE RETURNED TO THE EASTERN STATES BRINGING A RENEWED VISION, AND THE PLANS TO GROW THE FAIR WOULD MOVE AHEAD.

>> PEOPLE PLEDGED ASSETS OF THEIR OWN TO UNDERWRITE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL BUILDINGS, WHICH STILL STAND HERE TODAY, THE STROH BUILDING WHICH ORIGINALLY WAS CALLED THE A BARN, THE COLISEUM, THE C BARN WHICH IS OUR HORSE BARN, THE WOMEN'S BUILDING -- I GET A KICK OUT OF THAT NAME.

WE DUTIFULLY CHANGED THE NAME TO THE NEW ENGLAND CENTER WHEN IT BECAME UNPOPULAR TO CALL IT THE WOMEN'S BUILDING.

>> PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR WOMEN HAD BEEN PART OF THE EXPOSITION SINCE THE BEGINNING.

A WOMEN'S DEPARTMENT WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED AND WAS RUN BY HELEN STORROW, THE FIRST WOMAN ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE EASTERN STATES.

>> SHE HAD THE MCCALL PATTERN PEOPLE COME IN AND TALK ABOUT MAKING CLOTHING FOR YOUR FAMILY OR HOW TO USE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION OR COAL IN YOUR HOME AS A NEW RESOURCE AT THAT TIME.

>> WOMEN WERE TOLD THAT THE ELECTRIC STOVE WOULD BE THE WAY THEY WOULD BE COOKING.

NOW THIS IS DECADES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED IN YOUR AVERAGE KITCHEN, BUT THE NEWNESS ABOUT IT -- IT WAS ALMOST LIKE SEEING PROPHECY BY GOING TO THE EXPOSITION.

>> AS THIS WAS ALSO THE TIME WHERE WOMEN WERE LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE, AND SHE HAD AN EXHIBIT WHEN THEY WERE GIVEN THE RIGHT AS TO HOW TO VOTE WITH PAPER BALLOTS AND VOTING MACHINES AT THAT TIME SO WOMEN COULD FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR NEW ROLE.

>> ASIDE FROM OVERSEEING THE WOMENS DEPARTMENT, HELEN STORROW WAS ALSO A PRESERVATIONIST AND IN THE LATE 1920'S, SHE LOOKED TO CREATE A REPLICA OF A NEW ENGLAND VILLAGE AT THE FAIR.

THIS VILLAGE IS WHAT WE KNOW TODAY AS STORROWTON VILLAGE AND SITS AT THE WEST END OF THE FAIRGROUNDS NEAR THE AVENUE OF STATES.

>> SHE PAID FOR ALL OF THIS, THE EASTERN STATES DID NOT, SO IT WAS ALL HER OWN MONEY, LOOKING FOR THE BUILDINGS, PAYING TO HAVE THEM DISASSEMBLED, PAYING THE CARPENTERS AND THE TRADES TO HAVE THEM PUT TOGETHER, THAT WHEN SHE PASSED AWAY IN THE MID-1940'S, IT'S THE TRUSTEES THAT RENAMED THE NEW ENGLAND VILLAGE AFTER HELEN STORROW AS AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF HOW MUCH SHE HAD GIVEN TO MAKE THIS WORK.

>> BUILDINGS FROM ACROSS NEW ENGLAND MAKE UP STORROWTON VILLAGE, INCLUDING THE GILBERT HOUSE FROM WEST BROOKFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, THE MEETING HOUSE FROM SALISBURY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND THE LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE WHOSE BELL TOWER WAS ADAPTED FROM A SCHOOL HOUSE IN SOUTHERN VERMONT.

WAS REALLY A FULFILLMENT OF HER WAS REALLY A FULFILLMENT OF HERR NOTIONS OF WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER OF WHAT A NEW ENGLAND VILLAGE SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

AND MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE THE PIZAZZ AND THE FIREWORKS OF THE DEEP-FRIED PIZZA MARTINI OR WHATEVER IT IS THIS YEAR, WHICH I ENJOY TOO, BUT WE HAVE THE GRANDCHILDREN OF PEOPLE THAT CAME HERE WHEN THEY WERE EIGHT YEARS OLD, THAT WANT TO COME BACK AND SAY, WHEN I WAS A SCHOOL CHILD, OR WHEN I CAME HERE DURING THE FAIR, THIS IS WHAT I EXPERIENCED.

>> AGRICULTURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE CORE OF THE EASTERN STATES MISSION AND IT CONTINUES TO BE A VITAL COMPONENT OF THE FAIR TODAY.

LIVESTOCK COMPETITIONS HAPPEN IN THE MALLORY COMPLEX AND FARMERS-YOUNG COME TO COMPETE, SHOW AND LEARN.

>> I THINK WE ARE REALLY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A SHOW IN NEW ENGLAND OF THIS CALIBER.

I MEAN, THERE ARE CATTLE HERE FROM ALL OVER THE NORTHEAST, UP INTO CANADA.

KIND OF A THRILL TO BE INVOLVED IN IT, AND CERTAINLY TO GET THAT IMPARTIAL PROFESSIONAL JUDGE'S ASSESSMENT OF HOW OUR ANIMALS STACK UP AGAINST WHAT ARE REALLY THE BEST IN NORTH AMERICA IS PRETTY COOL.

THE ANIMAL THAT I SHOWED TODAY, HIS NAME IS ROSALIE.

I BELIEVE THERE WERE 20 IN THE CLASS AND WE WERE FIFTH, AND WE ALSO WON A GENETIC MERIT AWARD AS WELL, WHICH IS ANOTHER INDICATION OF HOW SHE STACKS UP WITH THOSE OTHER ANIMALS THAT ARE REALLY THE CREAM OF THE CREAM.

>> THE BIG E IS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA.

THIS IS THE ONLY FAIR IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THOSE YOUNGSTERS COME AND COMPETE FROM AS MANY AS 15 OR MORE STATES.

THAT HAPPENS HERE AT EVERY FAIR.

THE 4H COMPETITIONS, AGAIN, VERY, VERY CRITICAL.

THE SHOWING OF LIVESTOCK HERE, WHEN YOU WIN AT EASTERN STATES, IT'S VERY MEANINGFUL AND ADDS VALUE TO YOUR ANIMAL.

>> 4H WAS STARTED AS AN AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM THAT'S NOW EXPANDED INTO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING.

FFA STARTED AS AN AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM AND THAT NOW ENCOMPASSES MANY THINGS, BUT THESE KIDS ARE BROUGHT UP IN AN ENVIRONMENT WITH LEADERSHIP, CITIZENSHIP AND THEY HAVE LEARNED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TAKING CARE OF AN ANIMAL OR A PROJECT FROM START TO FINISH.

>> OTHER COMPETITIONS INCLUDE LANDSCAPING, HORTICULTURE, PUBLIC SPEAKING AND PLANT IDENTIFICATION.

>> THE STUDENTS HAVE TO COMPETE FIRST AT THE STATE LEVEL DOING FLORICULTURE EVENTS WITH FLORAL DESIGN AND CORSAGE EVENTS.

THEY ALSO HAVE TO DO A DISPLAY.

THEN THEY GO TO JOB INTERVIEW, WHERE THEY TEACH THEIR LIFE SKILLS, PROBLEM-SOLVING AND CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS SO THEY HAVE TO LEARN TO DEAL WITH CUSTOMERSO MAKE AND DESIGN AND PRESENT IT TO THE JUDGES.TO THE JUDGES.TO J >> AS A FRESHMAN, THERE ARE CERTAIN COMPETITIONS THAT ONLY YOU CAN COMPETE IN, AND ONE OF THEM IS THE FFA CREED WRITTEN BY E.M. TIFFANY.

AND YOU HAVE TO MEMORIZE FIVE PARAGRAPHS WRITTEN IN 1928, AND YOU RECITE THEM IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE SO AT STATE CONVENTION, I TOOK FIRST PLACE AFTER RECITING IT IN FRONT OF THE CONVENTION, SO I WILL BE ATTENDING NATIONALS THIS FALL.

>> I'M IN THE LITTLETOWN DAIRY FARMERS 4H CLUB IN BETHLEHEM, CONNECTICUT AND 4H STANDS FOR THE HEAD, HEART, HANDS AND HEALTH.

AND BEING INVOLVED IN 4H MEANS HAVING ALL THOSE THINGS COME TOGETHER AND SO MY PROJECT IS DAIRY CATTLE, RAISE AND SHOW THEM, AND SO IT'S ALL ABOUT RELATING THE ENVIRONMENT, THE EARTH AND EVERYTHING BACK TO DAIRY AND HOW IT CONNECTS TO OUR WORLD.

>> 4H, I GREW UP WITH IT, MY SISTER GREW UP WITH IT, MY FATHER USED TO DO IT.

I'M PRETTY SURE THAT MANY OF THE TACK BOXES WE HAVE HERE ARE FROM WHEN HE WAS IN 4H.

IT'S MY 11TH YEAR IN 4H; IT'S MY LAST YEAR.

IT'S ALWAYS KIND OF BEEN NATURAL, SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS DONE.

>> I ACTUALLY WANT TO BE AN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION TEACHER, BUT I HOPE TO INCORPORATE AGRICULTURE INTO MY CLASSROOM AND STILL HELP OUT ON MY FAMILY FARM BACK HOME.

>> MY AUNT HAS BEEN A DAIRY FARMER HER WHOLE LIFE.

MY PARENTS GREW UP ON A FARM.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT REALLY INTERESTS ME AND IT'S WHAT I'VE ALWAYS DONE AND WHAT I'VE GROWN UP ON.

I WOULDN'T KNOW HOW TO DO ANYTHING ELSE.

>> THE COLISEUM HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CENTERPIECE OF THE WEST SPRINGFIELD FAIRGROUNDS, HOSTING HORSE AND LIVESTOCK SHOWS SINCE THE FAIR BEGAN.

TEN 200-FOOT STEEL ARCHES FORM THE MAIN SUPPORT FOR THE BUILDING.

IT WAS CONSTRUCTED IN JUST UNDER SIX MONTHS AND CAN SEAT OVER 5,000 PEOPLE.

THE COLISEUM WAS ALSO HOME TO WINTER SPORTS, AS PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY WAS PLAYED THERE STARTING IN 1926.

>> MY FATHER RENTED THE BUILDING FROM OCT 1 TO MAY 31, SO ANYTHING THAT WENT ON DURING THAT TIME FRAME FELL UNDER THE AUSPICES OF EDDIE SHORE.

I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE SAY IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO WATCH HOCKEY.

IN FACT, IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO WATCH ANYTHING.

ICE CAPADES HAD BEEN COMING INTO THE BUILDING SINCE THE '39 -'40 SEASON AND ONE OF THE SKATERS, I NOTICED AND I SAID, THAT'S NICE.

SO I GOT TO MEET HER AND WE WENT OUT AND EVENTUALLY GOT MARRIED AND NOW WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED OVER 58 YEARS.

>> TODAY, IT'S THE HORSE SHOWS THAT CALL THE COLISEUM HOME.

HORSE SHOWS BEGAN IN SPRINGFIELD BACK IN 1853, ORIGINALLY HELD ON THE GROUNDS OF THE SPRINGFIELD ARMORY.

WHEN THE COLISEUM WAS BUILT, HORSES WERE SEEN AS A GOOD COMPANION TO THE LIVESTOCK SHOWS, AND THEY BEGAN TO SHOW AT THE BIG E AND HAVE BEEN THERE EVER SINCE.

>> HORSES WERE A LITTLE MORE FAR-REACHING.

THEY WERE STILL A MODE OF TRANSPORTATION BACK THEN, SO PEOPLE CAME FROM ALL OVER.

THEY CAME FROM AS FAR AS OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, TO COME AND SHOW HERE, AND THEY WOULD COME ON THE RAIL CAR IN TO THE STATION, UNLOAD AND WALK THEN ACROSS THE BRIDGE.

BRIDGE.

BRIDGE.

BRIDGE.

BRIDGE.RE WE CAN SHOW INOW IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC AND SHOW IN FRONT OF A CROWD, AND EASTERN STATES IS A VERY SPECIAL VENUE, THE FAIR, THE FACT THAT 100,000 PEOPLE COME THROUGH ON A DAY ON A SATURDAY IS UNHEARD OF AND THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY SHOWS LEFT THAT ARE ABLE TO PROMOTE OUR BREED AND PROMOTE OUR INDUSTRY THE SAME WAY THAT HORSE SHOW CAN.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY HERE; THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FABULOUS HORSES, LIKE SEVERAL OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALISTS HAVE SHOWN HERE NOT ONLY NOW BUT AT THE BIG E HORSE SHOW FROM GEORGE MORRIS TO MCLAINE WARD MOST RECENTLY.

IT'S GOT A GREAT HISTORY AND SOME OF THE TOP HUNTER AND SADDLE HORSES IN THE 100 YEARS HAVE SHOWN AT THE BIG E. >> MY FAMILY STARTED WITH THE BELGIAN DRAFT HORSES IN 1978; IT'S A FAMILY HOBBY.

I'VE BEEN DRIVING SINCE I WAS 5 OR 6 YEARS OLD AND SHOWING SINCE I WAS 8.

THE DRAFTS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR MASSIVE SIZE, AND A MATURE DRAFT HORSE IS USUALLY BETWEEN 1800 AND 2200 POUNDS.

THE BIG E IS A REALLY SPECIAL PLACE.

THE FIRST TIME WE CAME HERE, WE WERE ACTUALLY INVITED TO COME AND PARTICIPATE IN THE NORTH AMERICAN CLASSIC SERIES FINALS AND WERE FROM NEW YORK BETWEEN BUFFALO AND ROCHESTER.

AND WE MADE THE CLASSIC FINALS, AND SO WE RECEIVED AN INVITATION TO COME TO THE BIG E FOR THE CLASSIC FINALS SHOW.

AND I BELIEVE THAT WAS 1998, AND I THINK WE HAVE ONLY MISSED ONE OR TWO YEARS SINCE THEN.

>> THIS IS MY FAVORITE HORSE SHOW OF ANY HORSE SHOW THAT I GO TO, AND I HAVE BEEN GOING HERE SINCE I WAS 15 AND I AM 34 NOW SO ALMOST 20 YEARS I HAVE BEEN COMING HERE.

IT WAS A GREAT DAY, ONE OF THE BEST DAYS FOR ME AND MY RIDING; I WON AND IT WAS AN AMAZING DAY.

>> ANYWHERE YOU GO IN THE WORLD, IF SOMEONE WERE TO SAY WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND YOU SAY FROM NEW ENGLAND, PEOPLE GET A SENSE OF WHERE YOU'RE FROM.

IT'S A SENSE, ALMOST A MEMORY EVEN IF THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN HERE.

THEY'VE ALWAYS HAD THIS IMAGE AND THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT NEW ENGLAND IS MUCH MORE THAN THAT, IT'S SUCH A MOSAIC AND THE MOSAIC IS WHAT PEOPLE SOMETIMES HAVE TO COME HERE TO EXPERIENCE.

>> AT THE BIG E, THAT MOSAIC OF NEW ENGLAND IS MOST DEFINED ALONG THE AVENUE OF STATES.

SIX REPLICAS OF EACH STATE'S ORIGINAL STATE BUILDINGS COME ALIVE DURING THE 17 DAYS OF THE FAIR.

IT WAS THE FAIR'S FOUNDER, JOSHUA BROOKS'S, VISION TO MAKE THE BIG E BE A REGIONAL EVENT.

>> THE BIG E, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, IS THE ONLY PLACE IN THE COUNTRY WHERE A STATE OWNS A PIECE OF PROPERTY OUTSIDE OF ITS OWN BORDERS, AND YOU CAN LEGALLY CLAIM TO HAVE VISITED THE SIX NEW ENGLAND STATES IF YOU GO THROUGH THESE SIX STATE BUILDINGS HERE AT THE EXPOSITION.

THE STATE BUILDING FOR MASSACHUSETTS IS A TWO-AND-A-HALF-STORY REPLICA OF THE HISTORIC OLD STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON.

THE BUILDING WAS DEDICATED IN SEPTEMBER OF 1919.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST BUILDING ON THE AVENUE OF STATES AND THE LEGISLATURE VOTED $50,000 DOLLARS TO CONSTRUCT THIS BUILDING BACK AROUND WORLD WAR I, TO SHOWCASE MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE, PROMOTE IT, PROMOTE TOURISM, PROMOTE MASSACHUSETTS COMMERCE AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO HERE IN THE BUILDING.

STATE DOING BUSINESS ON HALF A MILLION ACRES OF LAND AND DOING ALMOST HALF A BILLION DOLLARS OF BUSINESS EVERY YEAR.

THE CRANBERRY INDUSTRY IS VERY MUCH ON THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE, APPLES IN CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS.

WE HAVE PRODUCE REALLY THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THEN ONCE WE GET OUT TO THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY, WE HAVE SOME OF THE FINEST SOILS NOT JUST IN THE COUNTRY BUT IN THE WORLD.

HOME OF THE HADLEY ASPARAGUS, WHICH WAS THE ASPARAGUS FOR THE WORLD AT ONE POINT IN TIME, WE HAVE 150 DAIRY FARMS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE STATE COMMANDING BIG PASTURES, FIELDS, AND IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ECONOMY.

AND WITH THE OPEN SPACE THAT THEY COMMAND AND PRESERVE, IT'S PART OF OUR WAY OF LIFE.

>> WE HAVE SO MUCH RICH GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, AND EVERYTHING IN SUCH A COMPACT AREA.

FROM THE SHORES OF CAPE COD AND OUR BEAUTIFUL SANDY BEACHES, SLOWLY BLENDS INTO LEAFY SUBURBIA, AS WE CALL IT IN THE BOSTON AREA; YOU KNOW, THOSE WEALTHY GENTILE TOWNS AND THEN INTO SOME OF THE MORE INDUSTRIALIZED TOWNS ALONG THE RIVERS, THE WORCESTER AREA AND HEADING WEST UNTIL WE GET TO THE GARDEN OF THE STATE IN THE BERKSHIRES AND WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

IT IS AN INTERESTING QUESTION HOW MASSACHUSETTS DIVIDES ITSELF UP, BECAUSE I THINK IT GOES FROM PERSON TO PERSON.

DO YOU SAY YOU'RE FROM THE SOUTH SHORE OR DO YOU SAY YOU'RE FROM PLYMOUTH?

DO YOU SAY YOU'RE FROM WORCESTER OR DO YOU SAY YOU'RE FROM CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS?

YOU KNOW, IT REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU IDENTIFY WITH AS AN INDIVIDUAL.

>> WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING FIRMLY ESTABLISHED ON THE GROUNDS AT THE EASTERN STATES, JOSHUA BROOKS SET HIS SITES ON THE STATE OF MAINE.

IT WAS SAID THAT HE TOOK UP RESIDENCE AND CAMPED ON THE STEPS OF THE CAPITOL IN ORDER TO CONVINCE THE MAINE LEGISLATURE TO CONSTRUCT A BUILDING AT THE EXPOSITION.

>> IT TOOK A HUGE AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO ACTUALLY GET ALL THE STATES TO AGREE ON ANYTHING.

WE'VE DONE IT RARELY SINCE, YOU KNOW, PUT THE MONEY INTO BUILDING A BUILDING WHICH WAS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY 100 YEARS AGO AND TO STAY WITH IT.

I MEAN, STATES ARE FAMOUS FOR HAVING AN IDEA THAT IS FOUR YEARS OLD UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION AND I THINK THAT IS THE MOST REMARKABLE PART THAT YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE STATES GET AWAY FROM THIS CONCEPT.

THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE.

THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE.

WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE MAINE BUILDING, IT'S THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE.

WE HAVE GREAT FOOD, LONG-STANDING FAVORITES LIKE LOBSTER AND BLUEBERRIES, OUR STATE DESSERT WHICH IS THE WHOOPEE PIE.

WE HAVE ART WORK AND JEWELRY AND REALLY WHEN YOU WALK IN HERE, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE EXPERIENCING MAINE, SO YOU MAY BE ON THE BIG E GROUNDS BUT WHEN YOU STEP INTO THE MAINE BUILDING, THIS IS YOUR VACATION FROM EVERYTHING ELSE AND YOU REALLY GET THAT EXPERIENCE.

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO VACATION AND IT'S EVEN A BETTER PLACE TO STAY.

COME FOR A VACATION, STAY FOR A LIFETIME.

WE GET SO MANY LETTERS AT DOWN EAST MAGAZINE ABOUT PEOPLE WHO SAY, OH, I LOVE MAINE, I WISH I COULD MOVE THERE SOME DAY, AND I THINK IT REPRESENTS A PHILOSOPHY, A STATE OF MIND THAT IS, IN MY OPINION, SOMETHING THAT THE WORLD NEEDS MORE OF RIGHT NOW; IT'S A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE.WOODS AND TRUEODSE WILDERNESS AND THEN THIS BEAUTIFUL COASTLINE, THERE IS ANYTHING YOU COULD POSSIBLY WANT IN MAINE -- EXCEPT MAYBE WARMTH IN FEBRUARY; THAT'S SCARCE.

>> MAINE AND VERMONT KIND OF VIE BACK AND FORTH FOR THE LARGEST NUMBER OF FARMERS.

RIGHT NOW, I THINK MAINE IS SLIGHTLY AHEAD; WE HAVE OVER 8,000 FARMS AND FARM FAMILIES.

WE GROW CROPS, DAIRY; PROBABLY BEEF ISN'T AS PROMINENT AND SHEEP NOT AS PROMINENT AS IT WAS 100 YEARS AGO.

YOU KNOW THE OTHER AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS THAT WE FEATURE ARE THE FAMOUS MAINE BAKED POTATO, AND IT'S NOT A VERY HIGH CALORIE ITEM UNTIL YOU GO TO WORK ON IT AND PUT ON ALL THE OTHER THINGS AND THEN YOU KIND OF MAKE IT INTO A FAIR FOOD AND YOU'RE ALLOWED TO INDULGE THAT ONE DAY THAT YOU ARE AT THE FAIR; THAT'S WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT.

I THINK OTHER BUILDINGS SELL LOBSTER, AND THAT'S TOO BAD BECAUSE THERE REALLY ISN'T ANYTHING LIKE A MAINE LOBSTER.

YOU CAN TAKE SOME PRETTY GOOD PICTURES AND HAVE THEM ON DISPLAY, AND FARMS ARE A PART OF THAT, CERTAINLY THE COASTLINE, CERTAINLY THE FORESTS AND THE MOUNTAINS.

AND SO GENERALLY WHEN YOU GET HERE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU GET A WAYS UP IN THE STATE, YOU'LL BE HERE A WHILE AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE ANXIOUS FOR PEOPLE TO DO.

>> WITH MARBLE COMING FROM THE FAMOUS PROCTOR, VERMONT QUARRY, THE VERMONT BUILDING WAS NEXT TO FIND A HOME ON THE AVENUE OF STATES.

THE BUILDING WAS DEDICATED ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1929 AND GREETS THOUSANDS OF VISITORS EACH YEAR DURING THE FAIR.

>> WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE OTHER STATES AROUND US BECAUSE WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AT SOME LEVEL.

BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU, FROM A VERMONTERS PERSPECTIVE, WE ARE VERY PROUD OF WHAT WE DO.

WE THINK WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN THE COUNTRY.

WE PROVIDE OVER 65% OF THE FLUID MILK FOR ALL OF NEW ENGLAND.

WE'RE THE NUMBER ONE MAPLE PRODUCER IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING CHEESES AND WE HOPE PEOPLE COME HERE TO THE BIG E AND TASTE AND TOUCH SOME OF THEM AND THEN COME TO VERMONT AND SHARE OUR AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE WITH US.

>> WELL, VERMONT'S MOTTO, FREEDOM AND UNITY, TELLS YOU SOMETHING ABOUT VERMONT.

IT BALANCES THE IDEA OF INDIVIDUALISM AND DO-IT-YOURSELF AND GO-YOUR-OWN-WAY FREEDOM WITH COMMUNITY LIFE, UNITY.

FARMING IS IMPORTANT TO VERMONT AND NEW ENGLAND NOT ONLY ECONOMICALLY, BUT CULTURALLY AS WELL.

VERMONT IS WHAT IT IS TODAY BECAUSE OF ITS HISTORY AS A FARMING STATE.

IT BREEDS A CERTAIN INDEPENDENCE AND A CERTAIN KNOW-HOW IN PEOPLE AND THAT'S IMPORTANT IN A VERMONT PERSONALITY.ONALITY.

AGRICULTURAL STATE AND 100 YEARS AGO, WE HAD DAIRY THEN AS WE DO NOW.

BACK THEN, WE WERE KNOWN FOR BUTTER PRODUCTION MORE SO THAN OTHER DAIRY PRODUCTS BUT TODAY, WE'VE EVOLVED INTO A FLUID DAIRY AND CHEESE-MAKING STATE.

THIS IS AN AMAZING MARKETING OPPORTUNITY FOR VERMONT AND FOR VERMONT VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR.

WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN WHAT WE DO IN VERMONT.

WE ARE STRONG BELIEVERS IN AGRICULTURE AND OUR FOOD SYSTEM, AND THIS HELPS US SHARE THAT WITH THE REST OF NEW ENGLAND AND IS A GREAT MARKETING OPPORTUNITY FOR NOT ONLY THE VENDORS WHO ARE HERE, BUT MANY OF THE VENDORS BACK HOME.

>> DESPITE A TROUBLED ECONOMY, THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BUILDING CAME QUICKLY TO THE AVENUE OF STATES AS IT WAS DEDICATED IN SEPTEMBER OF 1930.

LIKE VERMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE SHOWED OFF ITS OWN RESOURCES WITH GRANITE COLUMNS AND A MAP BUILT INTO THE ENTRYWAY TO REVEAL THE STATE'S COUNTIES AND PRINCIPLE CITIES.

>> WELL, IT'S CALLED THE GRANITE STATE FOR A GOOD REASON.

IT'S PLUTONIC, YOU KNOW, LAVA THAT WELLED UP AND BECAME THE WHITE MOUNTAINS AND SO ON.

I THINK OF IT AS TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT STATES; THERE IS DOWN STATE NEAR MASSACHUSETTS WHERE EVERYBODY COMMUTES BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY INCOME TAX.

AND THEN THE MIDDLE OF THE STATE, CONCORD AND WARNER BRADFORD.

THERE IS THE WHITE MOUNTAINS, VACATION SPOT, THE MOST VISITED NATIONAL FOREST IN THE COUNTRY, MILLIONS EVERY YEAR.

AND THEN WAY UP NORTH, WHAT WE CALL THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM OR WHAT THEY CALL COOS COUNTY, THE INDIAN STREAM REPUBLIC WHERE IT PETERS OUT INTO A POINT.

THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT WORLD UP THERE.

>> THE THING ABOUT AGRICULTURE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND ABOUT THE STATE ITSELF IS HOW DIVERSE IT IS.

WE HAVE RICH FARMLAND ALONG THE MAJOR RIVER VALLEYS, WE HAVE THE COASTAL PLAIN, WE HAVE THE LAKES REGION, AND EACH AREA HAS A MIXED DISTINCTION OF AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES IN THEM.

THE AVENUE OF STATES IS ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE BIG E AND OF THE GROUNDS.

OUR NEW HAMPSHIRE IS A REPLICA OF THE FIRST NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE HOUSE AND EACH ONE IS DIFFERENT.

YOU REALLY NEED TO GO AND VISIT ALL OF THE STATE BUILDINGS BUT WE DO TEND TO THINK THAT THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BUILDING IS THE BEST.

>> THERE'S A MILLION AND A HALF PEOPLE THAT COME THROUGH THE FAIR OVER THE 17 DAYS AND THERE AREN'T TOO MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOWCASE THE STATE TO THAT MANY PEOPLE IN THAT SHORT A PERIOD OF TIME.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT, IS GIVING PEOPLE A TASTE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS SO THAT IF THEY WEREN'T FAMILIAR WITH NEW HAMPSHIRE, MAYBE WE PIQUED THEIR INTEREST AND THEY'LL COME BACK.

AND IF THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH NEW HAMPSHIRE, THEN THAT MAKES THEM ALL THE MORE WANT TO COME SEE US AGAIN.

>> WITH FOUR OF THE STATE BUILDINGS COMPLETE, JOSHUA BROOKS' GOAL OF HAVING ALL OF NEW ENGLAND REPRESENTED AT THE FAIR WAS WELL ON ITS WAY.

CONNECTICUT WAS NEXT IN LINE, BUT THOSE PLANS WOULD BE FLOODS OF '36 AND THE HURRICANE OF '38.

>> THE HURRICANE OF '38 HIT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPOSITION'S RUN ON SEPT 20TH AND HALTED THE EXPOSITION.

THE DAMAGE WAS QUITE DEVASTATING.

UNDER WATER TO THE POINT OF MIDWAY TO THE SECOND FLOOR OF THIS BUILDING, SO OUR LAW OFFICE AND OUR SCHOOL HOUSE AND OUR BLACKSMITH SHOP AND HALF OF THE DEPTH OF OUR MEETING HOUSE, WHICH IS ALREADY ON RAISED DOLLARS, THE CONNECTICUTDOLLARST BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED IN THIS WAS THE FIFTH BUILDING TO BE ADDED TO THE AVENUE OF STATES AND IT FEATURES BROWNSTONE BRICK AND DIGNIFIED WOODEN COLUMNS.

>> CONNECTICUT HAS A LOT IN A SMALL PACKAGE; IT REALLY HAS ALL SORTS OF GEOGRAPHY, ALL SORTS OF LANDSCAPE, 100 MILES OF SHORELINE.

WE HAVE MOUNTAINS -- PEOPLE THINK MOUNTAINS?

THEY MAY NOT BE AS SPECTACULAR AS THE ADIRONDACKS BUT WE DO HAVE MOUNTAINS, WE HAVE RIVER VALLEYS AND THERE'S REALLY A LOT OF DIFFERENCE IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE, PARTIALLY BASED ON GEOGRAPHY AND PARTIALLY BASED ON WHO LIVES THERE.

>> THE LANDSCAPE IS FARMED MOSTLY BY DAIRY FARMERS, SO THEY FARM ABOUT 70,000 ACRES ACROSS THE STATE.

ON THE SHORELINE, WE ALSO HAVE LONG ISLAND SOUND AND THE LARGEST FARM THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT IS UNDER WATER, SO WE ARE CULTIVATING AND HARVESTING HARD SHELL CLAMS AND OYSTERS.

>> CONNECTICUT'S KIND OF UNIQUE; THE LAND HERE IS SO ROCKY.

PEOPLE WHO SETTLED HERE FROM A EUROPEAN BACKGROUND HAD TO GO AROUND AND PICK UP ALL THE STONES AND CLEAR THE FIELDS BEFORE THEY COULD DO ANY PLANTING OR HARVESTING, SO YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED ALL OF OUR STONE WALLS ON CAMPUS AND IF NOT, PEOPLE COMMENT ON THOSE AND THEY'RE A HISTORIC TREASURE.

THE UNIVERSITY IS KNOWN AS THE HOME OF AUGUSTUS AND CHARLES STORRS, THE TWO BROTHERS.

AUGUSTUS GAVE THE LAND TO THE UNIVERSITY IN PERPETUITY AS LONG AS THERE WAS A SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE.

AND SHOULD THERE NOT BE A SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE, THE LAND REVERTS TO HIS FAMILY.

AND SOMEONE COMMENTED TO ME, WELL, THERE'S PROBABLY NO FAMILY LEFT.

THAT WAS THE LATE 1880S.

AND IN REALITY, THE STORRS FAMILY IS STILL A PROMINENT FAMILY HERE IN EASTERN CONNECTICUT.

>> WE TAKE SERIOUSLY THE OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE THE CONNECTICUT BUILDING IN A WAY THAT HIGHLIGHTS AND PROMOTES CONNECTICUT BUSINESSES, INCLUDING FARMERS AND FARMING.

THIS YEAR WE FEATURED 17 DIFFERENT WINES AND A GOOD NUMBER, HIGH PERCENTAGE OF OUR FARM WINERIES, WHICH HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO THEM AND GIVES VISITORS TO THE BIG E AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE SOME OF WHAT WE'RE GROWING HERE IN CONNECTICUT AND THE VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS THAT WE HAVE MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

>> HISTORY IS EVERYWHERE, WHETHER YOU'RE WALKING IN NEW HAVEN AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT THOSE CHURCHES ON THE GREEN, OR THE ARCHITECTURE OF YALE UNIVERSITY OR WHETHER YOU ARE ON A TOWN GREEN ON SOME SMALL TOWN IN THE QUIET CORNER AND YOU SEE THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND YOU SEE THE STONE WALLS AND THERE IS REALLY A SENSE THAT WE'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME AND WE STAY HERE BECAUSE WE LOVE IT HERE.

>> THE OUTBREAK OF WORLD WAR II WOULD HAVE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON THE GROUNDS OF THE EASTERN STATES, AND THE FAIR WAS PUT ON HOLD.

THE ARMY QUARTER MASTER TOOK CONTROL OF THE GROUNDS FOR WAR-TIME PURPOSES.

THE COLISEUM WOULD BE USED FOR STORAGE AND STORROWTON VILLAGE WOULD HOUSE MILITARY PERSONNEL.

>> THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WAS GOING TO BE USING ALL OF THE GROUNDS, ALL OF THE BUILDINGS, AND THEY STARTED TO STOCKPILE THEIR OWN GOODS.

PILED TO THE CEILING OF THE COLISEUM, STORROWTON VILLAGE, THOSE BEAUTIFUL HOMES BECAME THE BARRACKS.

THE STATE BUILDINGS WERE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WITH NO MAINTENANCE AND NO REPAIR AT ALL.IT TOOK THEM A LONG, LONG TIME TO GET EVERYTHING REPAIRED AND PUT BACK TO ORDER.

IT WAS EXTREMELY COSTLY, AND THE SHOW DID GO BACK ON, AND PEOPLE WERE THRILLED.

IT WAS A NEW DAY AND THE WAR WAS OVER AND THEY LOOKED AHEAD.

>> THE RETURN OF THE FAIR WOULD BE OVER-SHADOWED BY THE DEATH OF JOSHUA BROOKS IN 1949.

HE WAS MOURNED BY MANY AS ONE OF THE COMMUNITY'S "STURDIEST CIVIC LEADERS" AND ALTHOUGH THE SUCCESS OF THE EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION ALREADY SERVED AS THE FINEST LIVING MEMORIAL TO ITS FOUNDER, IT WAS DECIDED TO CONSTRUCT A NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING IN HIS HONOR.

THE BROOKS BUILDING WOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE EASTERN STATES TO BE MOVED FROM DOWNTOWN SPRINGFIELD TO THE FAIRGROUNDS IN WEST SPRINGFIELD.

THE 1950S WOULD USHER IN A NEW ERA AT THE FAIR AS ATTENDANCE CONTINUED TO GROW.

THE 1953 FAIR HAD, AS ITS CENTERPIECE, A VISIT FROM PRESIDENT DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER.

NEVER BEFORE HAD A PRESIDENT COME TO THE FAIR DURING HIS TERM IN OFFICE.

>> DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, WHO WAS STILL IN THE EARLY PART OF HIS FIRST TERM, EISENHOWER WENT AND HAD A GOOD TIME.

THERE ARE PICTURES OF HIM LOOKING LIKE HE WAS ENJOYING HIMSELF, INTERMINGLING WITH PEOPLE, WITH THE KIDS, SO HE LIKED IT, I GUESS.

IT WAS A SIDE TO HIM THAT PEOPLE RARELY GOT TO SEE AND HE SHOWED IT WHILE HE WAS AT THE FAIR.

>> PRIOR TO HIS DEATH IN 1949, JOSHUA BROOKS HAD DONATED A GENEROUS SUM OF MONEY TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RHODE ISLAND BUILDING AND THE COMPLETION OF HIS DREAM OF HAVING ALL SIX NEW ENGLAND STATES REPRESENTED ON THE FAIRGROUNDS.

IN 1957, THAT DREAM WAS REALIZED AS A TWO-STORY REPLICA OF NEWPORT'S OLD STATE HOUSE WAS DEDICATED.

>> THE BIG E IS AN AMAZING DRAW FOR TOURISM; 1.4 MILLION CONSUMERS COME THROUGH THESE GATES EVERY YEAR.

LAST YEAR, WE SAW 1.

1 MILLION COME THROUGH OUR DOORS HERE AT THE RHODE ISLAND HOUSE.

WE HAVE AMAZING THINGS LIKE MUSSEL SOUP OVER AT DUFFY'S, TO THESE AMAZING CLAM CAKES HERE AT KENYON'S GRIZZLE HOUSE AND PEOPLE LOVE THEM.

CLAM CAKES ARE A SUMMER STAPLE.

>> FOR A SMALL STATE, IT'S INCREDIBLY VARIED.

YOU GO FROM THE SHORE TOWNS IN THE SOUTH, TO THE OLD MILL TOWN OF WOONSOCKET IN THE NORTH, BUT IT'S FASCINATING FOR ME AS A COLUMNIST HOW I HAD ACCESS TO PRETTY MUCH THE WHOLE STATE, THAT I COULD GET TO A PLACE THAT I NEEDED TO IN ABOUT AN HOUR OR SOMEBODY WOULD KNOW SOMEBODY WHO COULD CONNECT ME WITH WHAT I NEEDED.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY.

>> WITH 400 MILES OF COASTLINE, IT'S THE OCEAN STATE BUT I THINK THAT ALWAYS SURPRISES PEOPLE, THAT WE REALLY HAVE BEACHES FROM TOP TO BOTTOM AND THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.

>> THE NUMBER OF FARMS IN THIS STATE HAVE GROWN DRAMATICALLY IN THE PAST 12-15 YEARS; IN FACT, IT IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE INCREASES IN THE COUNTRY.

FOR MANY YEARS, WE WERE THE CENTER OF SOD IN NEW ENGLAND AND WE STILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT SOD INDUSTRY.

THE CENTER OF THE STATE IS NARRAGANSETT BAY.

IT'S AN OCEAN-MODERATED CLIMATE, A LOT OF FARMLAND AROUND THE BAY.

I WOULD DARE SAY WE PROBABLY HAVE SOME OF THE BEST SEAFOOD IN NEW ENGLAND.

MAYBE I WILL GET SOME PUSHBACK ON THAT, BUT I WILL PUT MY STATE IN THE GROUND RIGHT THERE.

>> IT'S A GREAT PLACE FOR LITTLE SPOTS LIKE THE BEST CLAM SHACK OR THE BEST CALAMARI IN RHODE ISLAND, AND I CAN TELL YOU WHERE THAT IS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW.

>> TO ME, THERE IS A CERTAIN ENERGY THAT GOES WITH BEING A SMALL STATE, VERY COLLABORATIVE, VERY UNSILOED.

IT BRINGS SOMETHING THAT IS DIFFERENT TO THE TABLE AND I THINK THAT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE CAN WORK WITH AND PROMOTE.

WE VIEW THE FAIR NOT JUST THROUGH THE LENS OF THE RHODE ISLAND BUILDING, BUT ITS VALUE IN EDUCATING AND HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AGRICULTURE, WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM AND THERE IS A LOT OF VALUE TO THAT.

>> A LOT ABOUT THE FAIR IS TRADITION.

WE HAVE FIVE GENERATIONS IN THE BARNS AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES WHO MIGHT BE 3RD-GENERATION EMPLOYEES AND IT'S THE SAME FOR THE FAIR-GOER.

IT'S A PLACE WHERE I GREW UP AS A CHILD GOING HERE.

MY FATHER AND MOTHER WERE YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN THEY FIRST CAME TO THE FAIR.

THE TRADITION PERMEATES EVERY ASPECT OF THE FAIR.

>> IT WAS THE SPRINGFIELD FAIR, IT WAS THE EXPOSITION, THE EASTERN STATES, THE FAIR AT SPRINGFIELD.

WEST SPRINGFIELD GOT LOST SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY AND THEN FINALLY, IT WAS DECIDED IN MODERN CONTEXT TO JUST CALL IT THE BIG E. >> I'VE BEEN COMING TO THE FAIR SINCE I WAS A VERY LITTLE GIRL.

MY FATHER WORKED HERE AS A MOBILE POLICEMAN.

FOR ME, AS MUCH AS I LOVE THE FAIR, IT MEANS FAMILY AND IT MEANS MEMORIES AND WE OFTENTIMES COME ON THE LAST DAY TO JUST WALK AROUND AND SAY GOODBYE.

IT'S THE END OF SUMMER, IT'S THE END OF FALL, YOU KNOW, WINTER IS COMING AND IT'S LIKE WEST SPRINGFIELD SEEMS TO COME ALIVE DURING THE BIG E AND, YOU KNOW, I MISS IT WHEN IT'S GONE, I REALLY DO.

>> AS A CHILD, WE WOULD MAKE THAT ANNUAL TREK IN SEPTEMBER TO THE EASTERN STATES BECAUSE IT WAS VIEWED AS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FALL HARVEST AND ALL THAT WAS AGRICULTURE IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD.

AND OUR FAMILY HERE AT BRIGEEN FARMS HAS BEEN EXHIBITING DAIRY CATTLE AT EASTERN STATES CONTINUALLY IN THE HOLSTEIN SHOW.

>> FOR ME, IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ALONGSIDE THE FAMILY AND TO DO SOMETHING THAT WE ALL ENJOYED.

NORMAL PEOPLE HAVE A HOBBY AND TAKE VACATIONS; WE WENT TO COW SHOWS WHEN I WAS GROWING UP OR WENT TO OTHER DAIRY EVENTS, SO THE BIG E WAS A HUGE PART OF THAT, REALLY.

>> THE MEETING PLACE FOR EVERYBODY IS IN FRONT OF THE BIG SLIDE BECAUSE IT IS THE EASIEST THING TO FIND, AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE DID AND THAT'S WHERE WE FIRST MET.

A FRIEND OF OURS SNAPPED A PICTURE BECAUSE THEY JUST THOUGHT THAT IT WAS SO CUTE THAT WE HIT IT OFF, AND WE WERE HOLDING HANDS ALREADY AND WE WERE JUST HAVING A REALLY GREAT TIME.

THE SECOND YEAR WE WENT, WE DECIDED TO START HOLDING UP THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S PICTURE, AND THAT WAS TOTALLY HER IDEA.

>> AND THEN THIS WAS JUST THIS LAST YEAR SO WE GOT THIS TUNNEL EFFECT GOING THIS PAST YEAR.

>> SO THIS IS OUR THIRD YEAR ANNIVERSARY AND WE ALWAYS MEET IN FRONT OF THE BIG SLIDE AND USUALLY WITH THE SAME GROUP OF FRIENDS.

>> SO NOW I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE NOT DOING THIS EVERY YEAR.

>> WE'VE JOKED THAT EVEN IF WE MOVE AWAY, WE HAVE TO COME BACK JUST TO TAKE OUR PICTURE.

>> THAT WAS MY FAVORITE.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS JUST OLD ENOUGH WHEN MY HEAD FIT OVER THE LINE WHERE I COULD RIDE THE RIDE.

THEY GIVE YOU THE BURLAP BAG AND YOU GO RUNNING UP 100 AND SOMETHING STEPS AND SLIDE DOWN, AND IT'S HAPPINESS.

[ MUSIC PLAYS ] >> ENTERTAINMENT HAS BEEN A STAPLE AT THE FAIR SINCE THE BEGINNING AND FOR MANY, THAT'S WHAT BRINGS THEM TO THE BIG E. THE DAILY PARADE WINDS ITS WAY THROUGH THE FAIRGROUNDS IN THE LATE AFTERNOON.

IT'S A TRADITION THAT DATES BACK OVER 50 YEARS.

IN THE YEAR 2000, THE BIG E INTRODUCED A MARDI GRAS-STYLE PARADE, A NEW ORLEANS-THEMED IDEA COMPLETE WITH FLOATS, MUSIC AND, OF COURSE, BEADS.

>> WELL, INITIALLY A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT, IS THAT GOING TO BE A GOOD FIT, YOU KNOW, NEW ORLEANS AND NEW ENGLAND?

AND I SAID, YOU KNOW, WELL MAYBE THAT'S WHY WE SHOULD TRY IT AND, OF COURSE, THROWING THE BEADS BECAME PART OF THE CULTURE.

I THINK WE HAVE THROWN SOMEWHERE AROUND 400,000 STRANDS OF BEADS DURING THE 17 DAYS.

WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A PHENOMENON FOR PERHAPS 2 OR 3 YEARS; IT BECAME MUCH, MUCH BIGGER WITH THE PUBLIC THING THAN I EVER ANTICIPATED.

TODAY IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE EXPOSITION'S ENTERTAINMENT; I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD BE VERY UNHAPPY.

>> AS I LOOK BACK ON SOME OF THE HISTORY OF THE BIG E, YOU SEE ALL KINDS OF ENTERTAINMENT, WHETHER IT WAS A BIG BAND PLAYING IN THE COLISEUM AND IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A NAVY BAND OR THE MARINE BAND.

BACK IN THE 60'S, YOU KNOW, WE HAD DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES AND THE STORY GOES THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE SHOWED UP BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT SHE WAS GONNA BE HERE.

IT'S A HUGE COMPONENT NOW BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT GENRES OF MUSIC.

YOU KNOW BACK THEN, IT WAS KIND OF COUNTRY OR COUNTRY OR MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF ROCK AND POP OR SO.

WE BOOKED SOMEBODY LIKE FERGIE AT THE HEIGHT OF HER CAREER; SHE WAS THE BIGGEST STAR IN THE WORLD.

JESSICA SIMPSON, ALSO ANOTHER HUGE STAR.

CHARLIE DANIELS WAS A GUY THAT REALLY TREATED ME VERY WELL WHEN I FIRST GOT IN THE BUSINESS.

HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ACTS THAT WE BOOKED HERE IN THE EARLY 80'S.

DESTINY'S CHILD WHEN THEY WERE NOBODY AT ALL.

BEYONCE, SHE WAS JUST A KID WHEN SHE CAME HERE AND SHE WAS WONDERFUL.

SHE WAS JUST A GREAT KID AND THINK OF WHERE SHE IS TODAY.

WE HAD MICKEY DOLANS HERE ONE DAY FROM THE MONKEES, AND WE DROVE HIM UP.

HE PLAYED IN FRONT OF THE COLISEUM.

WE DROVE UP, HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, HE WENT RIGHT INTO THE COLISEUM AND I THOUGHT WHERE IS HE GOING?

THE STAGE IS OUT FRONT.

AND I WENT IN WITH HIM AND I SAID, "MICKEY, IS EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT?"

AND HE SAID, "I PLAYED THIS BUILDING IN THE 60'S ON A DICK CLARK TOUR WITH HERMAN'S HERMITS AND THE DAVE CLARK FIVE."

IT JUST BROUGHT BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES TO HIM.

>> I ACTUALLY STARTED THE CIRCUS BACK IN 1970 AND BACK THEN, WE DID IT IN THE COLISEUM.

IT BECAME SO SUCCESSFUL, THE COLISEUM WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE DURATION OF THE FAIR, SO WE DECIDED TO PUT IT UNDER A BIG TOP AND IT'S A GREAT ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NO MORE THAN 50 FEET FROM THE ACTION IN THAT NO-RING EUROPEAN-STYLE CIRCUS.

AND OVER THE YEARS, IT HAS BECOME AN ICONIC EVENT HERE AND 75,000 TO 8O,000 FAIR-GOERS GO TO IT OVER THE 17-DAY PERIOD OF TIME.

>> ARTHUR GODFREY WAS PART OF THE HORSE SHOW HERE AT EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION.

HE SHOWED HIS HORSES.

OF COURSE, HE WAS A VERY BIG CELEBRITY AT THE TIME, SO HE BECAME INTEGRAL TO WHAT WE WERE DOING AT THE TIME AND WE EVEN USED HIS SELF LIKENESS AND HIS VOICE IN SOME OF OUR PROMOTIONAL FILMS THAT WERE DONE AT THE TIME.

THERE WAS ONE THAT WAS CALLED THE SHOW WINDOW OF THE EAST THAT HE JUST DELIVERED.

SO IT'S KIND OF NICE TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE THAT TO BE PART OF OUR HISTORY, ROY ROGERS AND DALE EVANS & TRIGGER, LIBERACE AND SOME OF THE GREATEST NAMES IN SHOW BUSINESS HAD A SPOT HERE AT THE EXPOSITION.

>> THEY HAD THE STORROWTON MUSIC TENT, THEY HAD SOME BROADWAY TRAVELING SHOWS.

>> PERRY COMO AND BOB HOPE WAS HERE A LOT.

>> YOU WOULD SEE THESE PEOPLE ON TELEVISION AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE TO SEE THIS PERSON IN THE FLESH.

>> IT REALLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE ALLURE OF NOT ONLY THE FAIR, BUT ALSO OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD.

>> I GREW UP ON CHUCK BERRY'S MUSIC, AND ONE YEAR WE HAD A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BRING HIM HERE.

AND I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW THAT AFTERNOON AND IN-BETWEEN PERFORMANCES, AND I NOTICED THAT CHUCK WHO HAD DRIVEN HIMSELF HERE FROM NEW YORK, NO ENTOURAGE, WAS IN HIS CAR, DRIVING THROUGH THE FAIRGROUNDS -- AND THIS IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON.

SO I WENT DASHING OUT THE DOOR BARRY GOING, DRIVING HIS CADILLAC DOWN ONE OF THE MAIN STREETS HERE.

I COME TO FIND OUT HE DECIDED HE WANTED A HOT DOG AND HE THOUGHT HE WOULD GO GET IT HIMSELF.

>> THE GROUNDS OF THE EXPOSITION HAVE SURVIVED STORMS, FLOODS, WARS AND FINANCIAL CHALLENGES.

IT HAS GROWN WELL BEYOND A FAIR TO ENCOMPASS MANY FACETS OF NEW ENGLAND LIFE.

IN 2001, JUST THREE DAYS BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE FAIR, AMERICA SUFFERED ITS WORST TERRORIST ATTACK ON U.S.

SOIL.

WITH MANY ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY PUT ON HOLD, THEN-EASTERN STATES PRESIDENT WAYNE MCCARY HAD A BIG DECISION TO MAKE.

>> MY OWN PHILOSOPHY WAS THAT BIG E REPRESENTED, IN MANY WAYS, THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA, AND IT WAS THE INTENT OF TERRORISTS TO COMPROMISE OUR WAY OF LIFE SO IF THERE WAS A WAY THAT WE COULD NOT CAVE INTO THEIR AGENDA, IT WOULD BE A GOOD THING.

OVER A MILLION PEOPLE CAME.

IT WAS A SOMBER FAIR, A MUCH, MUCH DIFFERENT FAIR THAN ANY OTHER THAT I'VE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH.

BUT I WILL NEVER FORGET THE FIRST PARADE THAT WENT DOWN THE AVENUE OF STATES.

WE HAD PASSED OUT INDIVIDUAL LITTLE FLAGS.

AND YOU SAW PEOPLE, ALL OF US, WITH TEARS IN OUR EYES, BUT BRINGING TOGETHER PEOPLE AND SEEING THE YOUNGSTERS WITH THEIR BANDS, YOU HAD CONFIDENCE THAT THIS COUNTRY WOULD SURVIVE AND THAT THIS COUNTRY WOULD RISE UP AGAIN AND CONFRONT WHATEVER HARDSHIPS IT HAD.

[ NATIONAL ANTHEM PLAYING ] >> EVERY MORNING AT 10 A.M., THEY PLAY THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND EVERYBODY ON THIS STREET THAT GOES BY, STOPS, EVERYBODY THAT'S AROUND THE FIRE HOUSE BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE FLAG IS, STOPS, PUTS THEIR HAND OVER THEIR HEART AND LISTENS TO THE NATIONAL ANTHEM BEING SUNG AND AT THE END OF IT, EVERYBODY CLAPS.

AND I AM OLD ENOUGH TO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THAT HAD GONE AWAY FOR A WHILE.

THERE WERE YEARS WHEN PEOPLE WOULD JUST WALK RIGHT BY AND THE ANTHEM WOULD BE PLAYING AND NOBODY ACKNOWLEDGED IT AND SINCE SEPTEMBER 11TH, THAT HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY, AND I LIKE THAT PART OF IT.

>> FOR MANY, NO TRIP TO THE BIG E IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A SAMPLING OF FOOD.

TASTY TREATS LIKE CANDY APPLES, COTTON CANDY AND SOCIAL WHIRLS WERE STAPLES IN THE EARLY YEARS.

FRIENDLY ICE CREAM HAD MINI VERSIONS OF THEIR FAMOUS RESTAURANTS ON THE GROUNDS AND ON THE AVENUE OF STATES, THE MAINE BAKED POTATO BECAME SO POPULAR, THE BUILDING HAD TO BE RENOVATED TO ACCOMMODATE THE HUGE LINES.

ONE OF THE OLDEST FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE FAIRGROUNDS IS YANKEE BOY, WHOSE HISTORY DATES BACK TO THE MID-TWENTIES.

>> WELL, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, IT GOES BACK TO 1926 WHEN MY GRANDFATHER FIRST STARTED HERE AND I THINK AT THAT TIME, IT WAS JUST A FEW HOT DOG STANDS HE HAD.

I THINK THEY WERE IN TENTS BACK THEN.

IT'S A TRADITION; WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE BEING HERE.

I THINK IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE SO MANY YEARS AND IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT IS IN YOUR BLOOD.

>> WE STARTED OUT IN '61 AND WE STARTED OUT WITH JUST A TENT WITH SAWDUST ON THE GROUND.

THEY WERE $1.75 FOR A MEAL THEN, AND IT WAS HALF A CHICKEN, FRENCH FRIES, SALAD, ROLL AND IT ALL CAME TOGETHER.

I'M AN OLD CARNY GUY, AND I LOVE THE BIG E. I LOVE THE FAIR.

I LOVE COMING DOWN AND WORKING FOR THE LIONS CLUB.

>> CERTAINLY, ONE OF THE BIG REASONS THAT PEOPLE COME TO THE EXPOSITION IS FOR FOOD, THE WIDE VARIETY OF IT, DEFINITELY, FOOD'S PART OF THE FUN.

>> AND EACH YEAR, WE TRY AND COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT'S, YOU KNOW, FUN BUT STILL APPETIZING.

DEEP-FRIED STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, BEER A MISU, THE CRAZY BURGER -- IT'S A HAMBURGER WITH BACON ON IT, CHEESE AND INSTEAD OF A BUN YOU HAVE A HONEY-GLAZED DOUGHNUT.

>> THE CREAM PUFF IS ALMOST NON-FATTENING BUT WE MAKE EVERYTHING FRESH.

THE DOUGH IS MADE FRESH.

WE USE A VERY HEAVY CREAM, PUT A LITTLE POWDERED SUGAR ON TOP OF IT, AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

IT'S GOOD AND IT'S RICH.

>> MY WIFE'S FAMILY WAS IN THE ICE CREAM AND WHAT THEY CALL GRAB BUSINESS, HOTDOGS HAMBURGERS, ET CETERA, AND THEY STARTED A PIZZA BUSINESS YEARS AGO AND WE JUST KIND OF FELL INTO IT.

AND WE GO FROM ERIE COUNTY FAIR IN BUFFALO NY, TO SYRACUSE, TO HERE TO WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA, TO RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA AND WE TRY AND BE HOME FOR HALLOWEEN.

THERE IS A GOOD BLEND OF LOCAL PEOPLE HERE THAT I HAVE KNOWN FOR YEARS AND IT GIVES A CHANCE FOR US TO VISIT, TOO.

IT'S A WAY OF LIFE, IT'S NOT A JOB.

OVER THAT TIME, THE EASTERN STATES HAS NEVER LOST SIGHT OF ITS ORIGINAL ROOTS ESTABLISHED BY JOSHUA BROOKS BACK IN 1916 -- TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY, EDUCATION AND COMMERCE AND PROVIDE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE AND ALL THAT IS GREAT ABOUT THIS REGION WE CALL HOME.

IF YOU'VE ATTENDED THE BIG E OR ANY OF THE EVENTS HELD ON THE GROUNDS OF THE EASTERN STATES YOU'VE HELPED KEEP THAT MISSION ALIVE.

>> THE MORE HIGH-TECH OUR ENVIRONMENT BECOMES, OUR WORK LIFE BECOMES, THERE IS STILL SOMETHING I THINK WITHIN ALL OF US THAT WE WANT TO REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMETHING REAL, AND I THINK THE EXPOSITION KIND OF BRINGS SO MANY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES THAT ARE REAL TO THE PUBLIC, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY EMBRACE.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, AS YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD WITH THE EXPOSITION, THE EXPOSITION I THINK WILL BE SUCCESSFUL FOR YEARS TO COME BECAUSE OF THAT.

>> I WAS RAISED IN THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY AND I'M HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LEVEL OF COMPETITION AT THIS FAIR STAYS WHERE IT IS.

THIS IS MY 63RD FAIR.

I WALK PAST A PICTURE THAT HANGS IN THE HALLWAY EVERY MORNING; IT'S MY DAD AND I JUST WANT HIM AND EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT I CARRY THIS ON BECAUSE IT'S WHAT I DO.

>> EVERYBODY HAS A REASON FOR WANTING TO COME HERE, TRADITION, FOOD, THE RIDES.

SO WE USE ALL OF THAT GLITZ AND GLAMOUR, THE LIGHTS AND THE NOISE, TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO THE FAIR AND WE DO THAT IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN OUR INVESTMENT IN THE PROLIFERATION AND PROPAGATION OF AGRICULTURE.

WE'VE HIT A GREAT MILESTONE AT 100 YEARS AND THIS YEAR HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK BACK ON OUR 100TH ANNIVERSARY, YOU KNOW, NOW WE CAN LOOK FORWARD WITH GREAT EXCITEMENT TOWARD THE NEXT 100 YEARS.