Big E Fair Opens This Weekend

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-in, Crème Bru LA, Ground Up (Food truck), It's Kelewele 31, Rutto Bats, The 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.

Toys for Tots Bringing Presents to Thousands of Kids This Year

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:21PM / Friday, December 05, 2025

Volunteers organize toys by age and gender in the House of Corrections storage facility. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Plenty of toys are on their way to children this holiday season thanks to Toys for Tots.

Christopher Keegan has coordinated the local toy drive for the Berkshire Chapter of the Marine Corps Reserve since 2015 and said he has seen the need rise every year, last year helping more than 6,000 kids.

"This is 11 years I've been doing it, and the need has gone up every year. It's gone up every year, and I anticipate it going up even more this year," Keegan said.

On Thursday, the Berkshire County House of Corrections storage facility was overflowing with toys making it the county's very own Santa's workshop. 

Keegan said Berkshire County always shows up with toys or donations. 

"This county is outstanding when it comes to charity. They rally around stuff. They're very giving, they're very generous, and they've been tremendous in this effort, the toys for pride effort, since I've been doing it, our goal is to honor every request, and we've always reached that goal," he said.

Keegan's team is about 20 to 25 volunteers who sort out toys based on age and gender. This week, the crew started collecting from the 230 or so boxes set out around the county on Oct. 1.

"The two age groups that are probably more difficult — there's a newborn to 2s, boys and girls, and 11 to 14, boys and girls. Those are the two challenging ages where we need to focus our attention on a little bit more," he said.

Toys For Tots has about 30 participating schools and agencies that sign up families and individuals who need help putting gifts under the tree. Keegan takes requests right up until the last minute on Christmas.

"We can go out shopping for Christmas. I had sent my daughter out Christmas Eve morning. Hey, we need X amount of toys and stuff, but the requests are still rolling in from individuals, and I don't say no, we'll make it work however we can," he said.

Community members help to raise money or bring in unopened and unused toys. Capeless Elementary student Thomas St. John recently raised $1,000 selling hot chocolate and used the money to buy toys for the drive.

"It's amazing how much it's grown and how broad it is, how many people who were involved," Keegan said.

On Saturday, Live 95.9 personalities Bryan Slater and Marjo Catalano of "Slater and Marjo in the Morning" will host a Toys for Tots challenge at The Hot Dog Ranch and Proprietor's Lodge. Keegan said they have been very supportive of the drive and that they were able to collect more than 3,000 toys for the drive last year.

Volunteer Debbie Melle has been volunteering with Toys for Tots in the county for about five years and said people really showed up to give this year.

"I absolutely love it. It's what we always say. It's organized chaos, but it's rewarding. And what I actually this year, I'm so surprised, because the amount that the community has given us, and you can see that when you see these pictures, that you've taken, this is probably the most toys we've ever gotten," she said. "So I don't know if people just feel like this is a time to give and they're just going above and beyond, but I'm blown away. This year we can barely walk down the aisles for how much, how many toys are here. It's wonderful."