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W. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. - Organizers and participants at this year's Eastern State Exposition (Big E) are pleased that nearly 800,000 attendees visited the fair during the first week. Maine Day, September 15 this year, kicked off record breaking attendance. Several Maine businesses and organizations are showcasing the best of
Maine to fair-goers for 17 days.
The State of Maine has a building on the Avenue of States, along with other New England states. More than 75-percent of
these attendees visit these state buildings to explore, shop
and enjoy featured foods and products from each states. The Maine Building venue promotes Maine to neighbors in New
England, and across the country.
Maine Building visitors choose from a variety of Maine items
to shop and enjoy at the building. This includes iconic food items with Maine
grown ingredients like baked potatoes, lobster, wild Maine blueberries, and Maine
maple syrup. Other foods give a nod to Maine’s renowned culinary success such
as whoopie pies, hand-throw, wood-fired pizzas, the ultimate Maine hot dog, Maine
craft beer, smoked salmon on a stick, and handmade ice cream.
As Maine Building vendors continue to showcase Maine, several groups have had great success at The Big E!
Students from Maine FFA and 4-H participated in regional agricultural
competitions with peers, including livestock, educational and leadership
development programs. Notable successes for students include the Maine 4-H
Dairy Team winning the Quiz bowl, an academic competition that tests
participants on their knowledge of agricultural subjects. In addition, Maine
4-H Beef Team member, Lorne Grondin, won Commended with his 4-H Market Steer.
The steer was sold at auction this past Monday. Market animal projects
are part of a youth enterprise, which allows the youth to create a business
project, and sell Maine-raised products to their customers.
The Big E! continues through Sunday, September 30, 2018. The
Maine Building is open daily from 10:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. For more information
about the event and future Maine Building activities, visit https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/market_promotion/eastern_states_expo.shtml
 Maine Building guests visit the vendors during the Big E!
 Members of the Maine 4-H beef team pose with the commended market steer, exhibited by Lorne Grondin
 Members of the Maine 4-H dairy team gather at the barn at the conclusion of the youth dairy show.
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