Connecticut Building at The Big E Offers Fairgoers a Sampling of State’s Tourism Treasures

September 15, 2021

HARTFORD, Conn., (Sept. 15, 2021) – The Big E is back and the Connecticut Building along the Avenue of States is ready to safely delight fairgoers with the diverse sites, smells and tastes of Connecticut.

Open daily during the fair, Sept. 17 to Oct. 3, the Connecticut Building will feature new and returning tourism attractions, restaurants, wineries, breweries, small businesses, artisans and crafters from every corner of the state.

This year, Connecticut Building visitors can:

  • Taste iconic Connecticut dishes, including hot buttered lobster rolls from Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale, savory barbeque from Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, famous brick-oven pizza at Randy’s Wooster Street Pizza and delicious baked potatoes from Danny’s Smokehouse Grill.
  • Sip locally made beer and wine from the Connecticut Craft Beer Garden, featuring a rotating selection of beer and cider from craft breweries across the state, and the Connecticut Farm Wineries booth—offering refreshing “Frosé” wine slushies, wine by the glass and bottles for purchase.
  • Learn about Connecticut’s vast agriculture and aquaculture resources by visiting the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s booth, which will feature a variety of farmers, growers and other exhibitors.
  • Sample delicious treats including apple cider donuts from Sweet Madeline's, artisan ice cream from J. Foster and baked treats from Bloom Bake Shop, new to the Connecticut Building.
  • Discover and rediscover popular attractions, including the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Florence Griswold Museum, Mohegan Sun and Ledge Lighthouse, new to the Connecticut Building.
  • Shop for local products and handmade goods, including from Papa’s Connecticut Mountain Brew, Connecticut Valley Tobacconist, Maple Craft Foods and Vinyl Delights, new to the Connecticut Building.
  • Enjoy 10 hours of live entertainment on Connecticut Day, Sept. 22. The all-day celebration is historically one of the most popular days of the fair and will feature over 10 hours of live entertainment on the Connecticut Building front lawn stage. This year’s lineup includes musical offerings from rock to a cappella.

“We are thrilled that The Big E and the Connecticut Building are back this year,” said Christine Castonguay, interim director, Connecticut Office of Tourism. “The Connecticut Building is a great opportunity to showcase our state’s unique mix of tourism businesses and offerings to people from all over New England and beyond. It also serves as a unique opportunity for Connecticut businesses to connect and reconnect with customers after over a year. We look forward to welcoming fairgoers through the doors, and even inspiring future visits to our great state.”

Exhibitors and staff in the Connecticut Building are prioritizing safety by wearing masks and implementing extensive cleaning and sanitizing protocols. The Big E has also issued a list of safety guidelines and protocols for all visitors.

To avoid and minimize weekend traffic, the Connecticut Department of Transportation recently announced the availability of two weekend shuttle bus options to The Big E.

To learn more about the Connecticut Building at The Big E, visit the Facebook Page.

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