Big E Fair Opens This Weekend

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WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) announced the opening of the Massachusetts State Exposition Building at "The Big E."

The 2025 Big E kicks off this Friday, Sept. 12, and will run through Sunday, Sept. 28. 

This year, the Massachusetts Building will feature 39 vendors and exhibitors highlighting the best of local small businesses and agricultural producers. The public will have the chance to sample fresh produce, discover artisan goods, and learn about innovative farming practices.

"The Big E brings people from across New England and beyond to experience the best that Massachusetts has to offer," said Governor Maura Healey. "Inside the Massachusetts Building, visitors connect with local farms, small businesses and destinations that reflect the heart of our economy and culture. At the Big E, we're telling a bigger story – one of tradition, innovation and the drive that continues to shape who we are."

Visitors to the Massachusetts Building can look forward to a diverse selection of food and products, including lobster rolls, Finnish pancakes, honey, candles, soaps, games, handcrafted baseball bats, chocolates, jewelry, photography, dips, wine, sliders, and more.

This year, the backyard of the building will once again feature a rustic beer garden, showcasing craft beer made from local grains grown in Western Massachusetts.

MDAR also welcomes seven new food and retail vendors, which include Cindy's Drive-inCrème Bru LAGround Up (Food truck)It's Kelewele 31Rutto BatsThe Love Mich Collection, and Wicked Fruitful. A complete listing of this year's vendors can be found here.

"Walking through the Massachusetts Building, you get a real sense of the state's diversity and creativity," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "From cultural foods to local small businesses, there is a wide range of things to try and explore. Fairgoers will learn about the crops grown here and find everything from fresh ingredients to unique retail – all in one place."

"Over a century after its opening, the Massachusetts Building continues to succeed in its mission of showcasing what makes Massachusetts such a unique place through our agriculture and commerce," said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. "It truly is a must-visit destination at the Big E that everyone will enjoy, whether you like clam chowder, Boston Crème pies, craft beer and wine, or want to shop for hand-made artisanal products."

The Massachusetts Building will celebrate three special days: Military Appreciation Day on Friday, Sept. 12, Massachusetts Day on Thursday, Sept. 18, and Harvest New England Day on Friday, Sept. 26. Specific events and programming will take place on these days. In addition, the 2025 Big E will also offer a special opportunity to celebrate Massachusetts' Year of Youth in Agriculture, which recognizes the next generation of agricultural leaders. Each year at the Big E, 4-H and FFA students proudly represent their local communities by participating in competitions that hone their skills while building important connections. Their presence continues a long tradition of youth leadership and innovation on the Avenue of States.

The building will be open daily from 10AM to 9PM. For directions, parking information, and ticket details, visit the Big E's website.

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Companion Corner: Princess at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There is an energetic girl waiting to find her new home at the Berkshire Humane Society.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.  

Princess is a six year old shepherd mix that has been at the shelter for just over a month.

Canine caregiver and adoption counselor Simone Olivieri told us about Princess.

"She's very social, very friendly. When you're out walking her, she just wants to go say hi to every single new person. Loves to make new friends. She's a lot of fun. She's very active. She's very spunky. She's very playful, and she's going to need a very very active family who's going to do a lot with her." 

But Princess is no stranger to the shelter. She was a puppy five years ago and got adopted quickly, but now she needs a new family to take care of her.

"She was adopted out fairly quickly as a young puppy. She's been in the same home for the past five years. Unfortunately, they were moving out of state somewhere," Olivieri said. "They could not take her with them, so she ended up coming as a return to shelter, and she came back to stay with us."

Princess needs to go to a home as the only animal or with other male dogs that are her size or bigger.

"Her perfect home would be kids eight and up. No cats. No small animals. She has quite a prey drive. She could go to a home with another dog around her size or larger, preferably a male dog. She does a little bit better with male dogs, and she's looking for a home where people are home quite a bit, so that she's not left alone for too long. She has some separation anxiety," Olivieri said. 

She also needs a very active home that can let her use her energy every day, as she is very rambunctious. Especially with playing with her favorite toy, the flirt pole.

"She could use a home where people are going to give her a lot of attention and more than just a few walks a day; she's going to need lots of exercise, lots of playtime, lots of mental stimulation," Olivieri said. "She likes to learn, so someone who would be willing to take her to training classes or work on some training with her, as well as hikes, getting out and about, doing new things, different things. She is very athletic. She'd excel at things like agility, some dog sports. Just someone who is really going to want to engage and do a lot of different kinds of activities with her." 

Once you let her get her energy out, she is a cuddler who wouldn't mind being held like a baby from time to time.

"She's very sweet. She's very cuddly. She's very affectionate, but she is not a couch potato. She will stay on that couch with you for a little bit, and then she's ready to go off and do something else. So she's very busy. She's very active," Olivieri said. "Once all of her exercise needs are met during the day, she will settle down nicely, and she will want to be right by your side, cuddle with you at night on the couch, sleep with you."

Princess is very healthy but does experience some anxiety and is not fully potty trained and might have the occasional accident.

"She does have a little bit of anxiety, so she is on some medication for it right now," Olivieri said. "So a lot of structure, a lot of outlets, and familiarity, getting used to a new routine and everything is gonna be really good for her. I mean, she's just lovely. Like I said, she's very social. She likes to play with other dogs. She likes to meet new people."

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