The fair's new leader talks about his vision for New England's largest state fair.
Big E President Eugene J. Cassidy With the start of the Eastern States Exposition just days a way, Big E President Eugene J. Cassidy took time to answer a few questions and reflected on his new position and the role fairs play today.
This is your first fair in your new role as Eastern States Exposition president and chief executive officer, what are you most excited about?
The most special aspect about my new role is that it will afford me the honor of being more involved with the true meaning of The Big E – Agriculture. I’ll have the chance to interact with the farm community – including FFA and 4-H youth from throughout New England and nationally, who grow our food and are the backbone of our county. These are the folks and programs that fairs like The Big were created to promote and support – agriculture and industry.
Wayne McCary, longtime president and chief executive officer of the ESE, just retired in June. How much input did you actually have in this year’s Big E?
Wayne ran an inclusive team, where managers were charged with many tasks and duties, and every one of us has had creative input in the final recipe that becomes The Big E each year.
Over the years, Wayne McCary has played a major role in handpicking acts for the Big E Super Circus, will he continue to do so?
Wayne is a renowned circus aficionado, a great circus fan, and he knows how to put a circus together. For many years, Wayne has mentored John Juliano, who is our special events director. With Wane having educated “JJ,” as he is fondly called, he now has a sharp eye for great circus acts. But, while Wayne’s thumbprint will be visible, the reigns have been turned over to John.
What brought you to The Big E as an employee, as a youngster?
My memories of the fair go back to my childhood, roaming the grounds while holding my father’s hand as my mother shopped at all the craft booths. Our family would have breakfast at the West Springfield Firehouse annually on the final day.
As an adult, I was working at Westbank, where the Eastern States Exposition was a customer. One day I was contacted by a local bank president who served on the board of directors of the fair. He wanted me to meet Wayne McCary, knowing that Wayne was in need of hiring a new director of finance. I had no desire to leave the bank, but once I met Wayne and learned about his vision for the ESE, I made the leap.
What do you think keeps people coming back to the Big E ?
Fairs of varying sizes across the nation and especially The Big E, its mission, purpose and programming, resonate with citizens as a testimony to the “American Way of Life” – a phrase too little heard today. We represent all that is good in society: families and the roots of our existence – Agriculture. We provide happy times, an escape from the daily responsibilities of life, all in a safe environment.
We’re a place to indulge in a variety of things, including all kinds of foods you’ll only see at a fair, entertainment on both a large and small scale…. a place where you can experience life as it was in the 19th century in our Storrowton Village or climb aboard modern-day amusement rides, as well as see the beauty and products that New England has to offer in each of the six states’ respective facsimile capitol buildings along our Avenue of State. And, of course, where a place where the finest livestock in North America compete for blue ribbons.