OVERVIEW
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is pleased to invite Vermont businesses to apply to vend inside the Vermont Building at the 2023 Big E. The Vermont Building is one of six New England buildings on the Avenue of the States at the Big E, a 17-day fair and exposition which takes place each September in West Springfield, MA. During this event, which brings in approximately 1.6 million people each year, the Vermont Building hosts a variety of Vermont food and retail businesses which showcase the best of what our state has to offer.
The 2023 Big E will take place September 15 - October 1.
The application to vend in the Vermont Building at the 2023 Big E is now closed. Please sign up for VAAFM's Agriculture Development Newsletter to be notified when the applications open for 2024.
VENDOR BOOTHS IN THE VERMONT BUILDING
The Vermont Building at the Big E is host to 20+ vendors each September. Booth spaces are offered for both retail and food/beverage products. There are booth spaces for the entirety of the 17-day fair, for 8-9 day rotating spots, and occasionally for 5-7 days.
HARVEST NEW ENGLAND DAY
Businesses interested in trying their product out at the Big E without a multi-day commitment are encouraged to first participate by vending at Harvest New England Day, a single day event. Vendors participate in the farmers market-style event on the front lawn of the Vermont Building. There is no fee to participate at this level. The application process is separate from multi-day vendor participation.
The application to vend at Harvest New England Day at the 2023 Big E will open in April. Contact Kristen Brassard with questions.
Check out what some of our Vermont Building Vendors had to say about their experience at the 2022 Big E:
- 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."
- Alexx Shuman, Nomadic Kitchen: “It was such an honor for our handcrafted marshmallows to be written up as the "#1 Thing to Try at The Big E" by the go-to source for what to eat at the fair each year! Can't wait to return next year.”
- Allison Hope, Vermont Maple Sugarmakers Association: "The Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association and our booth volunteers were delighted to hear visitors delight in welcoming us back to the Vermont Building and the Big E after a couple of years away. We were able to talk to thousands of folks about the different grades of maple, how we make maple cream out of pure Vermont maple syrup, and why Vermont maple syrup is the best there is! The Vermont Building and the Big E are a great opportunity for us to reach a wider audience and build relationships with folks through a shared appreciation of Vermont maple and all the other great Vermont products in the building."
- Ellen Feld, Willow Bend Publishing: “As a long-time participant of the Vermont Building (20 years!), representing Morgan horses, it was fantastic to be back at the Big E, post-Covid. Crowds were huge, people were eager to be out and about, and visitors were excited to learn about Vermont through the fantastic vendors the Vermont building offered.”
- Jon Schwartz, Long Trail: “Vermont has become known as one of the best states in the country to enjoy amazing Craft beer. As one of the original VT craft brewers, the Long Trail Brewing Company is honored to continue our partnership with the State of Vermont, to offer our beers to guests in the VT Building throughout the fair.”
- Paul Hill, Vermont Cheese: “It was great to see things finally back to normal giving us the opportunity to interact with our customers both new and old.”
- 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!”
- Jacob Freeman, Treeline Terrains: "It was great interacting with customers from across New England and hearing about their favorite landscapes. The Big E has brought unprecedented traffic to our business and we're honored to be part of the Vermont Building!"
- Matthew Walker, Vermont Clothing Company: “After a couple of difficult seasons for everyone, we are delighted to have been so warmly embraced by all the fair goers of New England! After our twelfth year in the Vermont Building, we want to say, ‘Thank you for our best Big E yet!’”
- Kathleen Govotski, Halladay’s Harvest Barn: “It was humbling and heartwarming to see how our customers have become Harvest Barn fans and friends throughout our years at Big E. We were overwhelmed with love and support!”
- Amanda Farrell, Bergamot + Amor: “17 days of shoulder to shoulder crowds… I lost my voice three times from just greeting customers and saying good morning to folks. The truth is, no business owner will ever be ready for this fair, no matter how much you prepare, it still won’t be enough or just right… The lesson that comes from all of this is: opportunities like this can change EVERYTHING as long as you let go of control and jump in with both feet. As long as you believe in the deepest parts of you, that your business is worthy, your product is good enough, and you wake up with a fire under you to hustle every day, you will survive the storm and walk out of it with open doors all around you.”