Big E President Eugene Cassidy, now head of global fair association, describes industry devastated by COVID
Updated Jan 24, 2021;
Posted Jan 24, 2021
Eugene Cassidy is the president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. (Don Treeger / The Republican)
Facebook Share
WEST SPRINGFIELD — At a time when The Big E normally gears up for late-winter trade and consumer shows — campers, hunting and fishing, and home improvement — the biggest event coming to the Eastern States Exposition grounds could be a COVID-19 mass vaccination site.
The sprawling 175-acre fairgrounds on Memorial Avenue — a 104-year-old institution with 44 buildings is expensive to operate. Just cleaning up after a snowfall can cost up to $32,000.