by Kristen Brassard, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Sunday, October 2nd, brought to a close the 2022 Eastern States Exposition, better known as The Big E. This year brought a return to pre-pandemic activity across the fairgrounds and in the Vermont Building. Total attendance at the Big E this year reached 1,603,354 million visitors, second only to 2019.
“Our Vermont businesses once again demonstrated for visitors to the Vermont Building why our state is a special place with much to experience,” Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts said. “From world class products to world class food and beverages our Green Mountain companies stand ready to welcome visitors year-round!”
Vendors at the Vermont Building spoke enthusiastically about the experience this year:
- Denise Monte, Village Peddler: “An amazing successful 17 days not only selling our homemade caramel apples and fudge but also being able to be part of showcasing the best of Vermont.”
- Jeffrey Chevalier, Better Wheel Workshops: "The Vermont building embodied the Vermont motto of Freedom and Unity to a T this year. We all had our own unique endeavors to undertake, but I felt we all had each other’s backs and as someone who mostly worked the show alone, it made all the difference in the world. It was an honor and a privilege to get the opportunity to share my craft with so many, and to work alongside such fantastic people. I am already looking forward to next year."
- Eleanor Leger. Eden Icer Ciders: “We love exhibiting at the Vermont Building. We get to meet so many great people from around New England and introduce them to great ciders and especially ice ciders. This year our cider sales were the equivalent of selling over 11 thousand pounds of Vermont apples!”
For more information about the Big E visit: https://www.thebige.com/
Businesses interested in vending in the Vermont Building at the 2023 Big E should contact:
Kristen Brassard by email at Kristen.Brassard@vermont.gov or by phone at 802-522-3742.