DACF Home → Bureaus & Programs → Bureau of Agriculture → Agricultural Resource Development Division → Special Events → Eastern States Exposition (The Big E!)
State of Maine Building at Eastern States Expo
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry cordially invites you to join us in celebrating a century of showcasing the best of Maine at the Big E Fair!
Visit us at the Maine Building from Friday, September 18 to Sunday, October 4, 2026
Maine Day at the Big E is Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The Big E is an annual event that begins on the second Friday after Labor Day and runs for 17 days each September.
On this Page:
- News – What’s Happening in the Building
- The Maine Building - Showcasing Maine since 1925!
- Maine Building Exhibitors
- Other Big E Activities – Competitions and visitor activities
News
- Tentative Maine Day Schedule: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 - Maine Day activities to be accounced May 2026.
The Maine Building
The State of Maine Building is an exhibition venue showcasing the best of Maine to more than 850,000 visitors annually who attend "The Big E." The building is located on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts on the Expo’s Avenue of New England States.
The Agricultural Resource and Development Division of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) operates and maintains the building for the purpose of "exhibiting, publicizing and advertising Maine's products and resources in agriculture, industry, fisheries, forests, wildlife and recreation." The State of Maine has participated in this exciting display of New England traditions since 1925.
Maine Building Exhibitors
Find contact information, product offerings, and learn more about featured brands and businesses exhibiting in 2026 (as of January 2026; additional participants to be announced).
| Brands and organizations | A little bit about this Maine participant | Maine Building location in 2026 | Short- and full-length dates. The fair is 9/19-10/4/2026. | Find them online to shop or connect year-round! |
| Dailey Woodworking and Friends | Handmade wood products, plus more than a dozen Maine makers. Add this to your must-see for quality, local gifts! | 3, 4 | 9/18-10/4 | daileywoodworking.com |
| Ledgeway Farm | Goats milk soaps, and skin products made in the family soap studio and available year-round! | 2 | 9/18-10/4 | ledgewayfarm.com |
| Maine Aquaculture Association | Smoked salmon on a stick, old-fashioned Maine root beer, and info about Maine aquaculture, including the Oyster Trail! | 19, 20 | 9/18-10/4 | maineaqua.org |
| Maine Lobster Rolls | Delicious, fresh Maine lobster rolls from a family who feel as comfortable on the ocean as in the Maine Building. | 21, 22 | 9/18-10/4 | seafoodfrommaine.com |
| Maine Office of Tourism | Planning a trip? Don't miss chatting with staff to learn about Maine's eight Tourism Regions and places for making memories when you visit Maine. | 1 | 9/18-10/4 | visitmaine.com |
| Maine Potato Board | Dive into a Maine potato from "The County". This meal in a peel is baked fresh, ready for a dollop of whipped cream, or all the toppings! | 8 | 9/18-10/4 | mainepotatoes.com |
| Mainely Handrails | A featured art installation: don't miss these unique metal pieces featuring dragonfly garden décor, benches, and firepits! As seen on Maine Cabin Masters. | interior benches | 9/18-10/4 | mainelyhandrailsllc.com |
| MARTINI Jewels | Artisan jewelry made in Maine with recycled fine metals and ethically sourced gemstones | 18 | 9/12-9/28 | martinijewels.com |
| Real Maine | Helping people connect with Maine farms and products year-round | Front lawn | 9/18; Maine Day | realmaine.com |
| Sider's Woodcrafting | Wooden cutting, charcuterie boards and more, with free, on-site laser engraving | 6 | 9/18-10/4 | siderswoodcrafting.com |
| Slice O'Country | Small batch jams, preserves, pickles and condiments | 10 | 9/18-10/4 | sliceocountry.com |
| Sunshine Apothecary | Safe, chemical-free, handcrafted creams, salves, and tinctures made from plants in Maine | 5 | 9/18-10/4 | sunshineapothecary.com |
| Tree of Life Maple Farm | Organic Maine maple products, including syrup, maple cream, maple candies, maple cotton candy, delicious maple coffee, milkshakes, and gift boxes | 14, 15, 16, 17 | 9/18-10/4 | treeoflifemaplefarm.com |
| Valley View Orchard Pies | Bakery specializing in fruit pies and whoopie pies. Try them at the fair, and shop year-round | 10, 11, 12 | 9/18-10/4 | valleyvieworchardpies.com |
| Winter Whimsies | Hand-crafted in Maine, personalized polymer clay ornaments in a variety of designs | 7 | 9/18-10/4 | winterwhimsies.com |
Other "Big E" Activities, Events and Tickets
Visit thebige.com for a full list of "Big E" festivities, including agricultural events, and competitions, and to purchase your event tickets.