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  September: Big E  
     
Overview      
Information for 2024:
Big E Schedule of Events

The official rules and regulations are specifically for The Big E FFA Career and Leadership Development Events for 2024. Big E website: http://www.thebige.com.

General Information
The Big E, the largest fair in the northeast, is home of The Big E Cream Puff and Craz-E Burger. It's a New England extravaganza with top name entertainment, The Big E Super Circus, the Avenue of States, Storrowton Village Museum, animals, competitive exhibits, rides, shopping, crafts, a daily parade and a Mardi Gras parade and foods from around the world for 17 days each September. It's the last blast of summer -- celebrate at The Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts

Purpose
Virginia FFA members travel to the Big E to compete in Career and Leadership Development Events. Participation in this event has allowed our students to see the sites, make new friends and participate in events with students from all across the East Coast. FFA members return to their chapters with new experiences to share with their communities. All of the events our students participate in take place in an energetic, action-packed and fun-filled learning environment. In a few short days students take advantage of opportunities that will impact them for a lifetime. This is why we believe so strongly in local, state, and national FFA programs. Our students are learning valuable science and technical skills, exploring career opportunities and nurturing leadership proficiencies.

Virginia FFA State Trip      
In an effort to save money and in order to encourage chapters to stay together so that members can develop friendships with other students across the commonwealth, the Virginia FFA Association coordinates a state trip. The state will continue to facilitate this trip as long as there is interest and support from Virginia Agricultural Educators and FFA Chapters. Virginia FFA arranges available rooms for schools as requested by advisors, with all room assignments made at the discretion of the local advisor. We encourage local advisors to work with other FFA chapters in order to maximize the use of a room while minimizing the cost per student. Virginia FFA also arranges for a bus trip for students and advisors. Each year, eligible teams are randomly selected for seats on the bus. We try to accommodate as many teams as we can.

If you would like to utilize the Virginia FFA housing block, please fill out the form.

Please note the 2024 fees:
Bus: Sponsored by Virginia FFA Foundation
Room: $185/ room night
*As of now, all rooms reserved have two double beds. If a room has a single guest the hotel may place the guest in a King room.

Transportation      
Bus - The state bus will depart to the BIG E the morning of Sept 12th from Christiansburg and make its way northbound on I81 picking up passengers at locations set by the state. The bus will depart back for Virginia the morning of Sept 15th.

Chapters are free to make their own transportation arrangements, however all parking fees and other costs will be the local chapter’s responsibility, they are not included in any of the Eastern States Exposition fees charged by Virginia FFA.

Airline – Transportation from the airport to the hotel is the local chapter’s responsibility.

Car - If you plan to drive your own vehicle or rent a vehicle in Massachusetts, then you will need to request a parking pass online.


   
 
     
 
   

Event Information
     
2024 Virginia State Prices:
Lodging: $185/night per room
Bus Seat: Sponsored by Virginia FFA Foundation

Virginia Hotel:
Fairfield Inn & Suites Springfield/Enfield 1 Bright Meadow Blvd Enfield, CT 06082 
 
   

Steps for Signing Up
     
Update Chapter Roster:
Make sure all participants are on your 2024-2025 member roster.
State Registration:
Register for Bus Seats and Housing by August 9. 

Registration for Big E:
Advisors will register all teams on Judging Card for the contests. Virginia FFA will cover your registration fee. Star Program contestants will have to submit their application materials by September 1. 

Big E Waiver:
Please fill out the waiver for the Big E online.

Virginia FFA Participant Waiver:
Please obtain from each student and travel with these forms.
 
   

Resources
     
Big E Website
 
   

 
     
     
 
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