New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Here’s what’s inside Connecticut’s building this year
At the Big E, you can visit all six New England states in just one short walk. The Avenue of States features replicas of each New England state’s original statehouse, sitting on land actually owned by that state.
Each building features exhibitors representing the state's history and culture, agricultural background, tourism attractions and, of course, food.
In Connecticut's building, you’ll find products made by local artisans, wines from local vineyards, craft beers from Nutmeg State breweries and some of the state’s best eats. Think hot buttered lobster rolls and New Haven-style pizza.
See more details on the Avenue of States here.
We've also previewed the Big E's new foods for 2021 (Pumpkin cream puffs! Bacon-wrapped pickle corn dogs!) and shared some of the wildest foods we've ever tried at the fair. Remember the deep-fried martini?
Bear's Smokehouse Hartford, New Haven, South Windsor, Windsor
Bear's Smokehouse will sell a variety of its barbecue items: “moink balls,” burnt ends, cracklins, “Mac Attack” (meat atop macaroni and cheese), and more.
Danny’s Smokehouse Grill South Windsor
Danny’s Smokehouse Grill, run by the owners of Danny's Little Taste of Texas in South Windsor, has been participating in the Big E for more than 18 years. This year the restaurant will serve super-size baked potatoes, barbecued chicken dinners and a variety of barbecued foods.
Noujaim's Bistro Winsted
Noujaim’s Bistro, a Lebanese restaurant in Winsted, will serve traditional Lebanese street food such as chicken shawarma, falafel, pita and hummus.
Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale Madison and Westbrook
Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale will serve Connecticut-style hot buttered lobster rolls, lobster mac and cheese, and various chowders.
Connecticut Craft Beers
Various Connecticut breweries
A number of Connecticut-made beers will be available on tap at this booth. (Participating breweries have not yet been announced, but will rotate daily.)
Killam & Bassette Farmstead South Glastonbury
Killam & Bassette Farmstead is a family-run farm in South Glastonbury that grows fruits and vegetables and raises free-range chickens. The farm will offer Connecticut-grown jams and jellies.
Randy's Wooster Street Pizza Manchester and Hartford
The pizzeria, with a new location in Hartford at the Parkville Market, will serve New Haven-style pizza and whoopie pies.
J. Foster Ice Cream Avon
The sweet shop will offer its artisan ice cream flavors and floats.
TeachArt2Me East Hartford
TeachArt2Me is a children’s entertainment company that provides face painting, henna, balloon twisting, character entertainment, paint nights, and arts and crafts. The company will provide face painting and henna designs.
Republic Restaurant/Mill Restaurant Group
Connecticut (and Massachusetts)
The CT-based restaurant group, with locations in Bloomfield, Hartford, Manchester, South Windsor and West Springfield, Mass., will serve spicy chicken sandwiches, gazpacho salad and bacon-wrapped dates.
Paisley Peacock Body Arts New England
Paisley Peacock Body Arts is a henna, glitter art and body paint business with artists across New England. Those artists will provide face painting and henna design.
Newgate Farms Windsor
Newgate Farms has been in operation in Windsor since 1933. The farm will sell sauce made with its own Connecticut-grown tomatoes and caprese salad.
Connecticut Valley Tobacconists Enfield
Connecticut Valley Tobacconists will sell fine cigars with Connecticutgrown tobacco and wrappers.
Livin’ Country Woodbury
Livin’ Country is a “T-shirt and accessories brand that celebrates everything country.”
Maple Craft Foods Sandy Hook
Maple Craft Foods, which sources maple syrup from local family-owned farms, will be selling its flavored maple syrups and maple products.
Papa's Mountain Brew / L A B Concessions Connecticut
Papa’s features old-fashioned soda flavors (root beer, cream, birch, orange and more) with an unlimited refill option.
Sweet Madeline's Donuts Glastonbury
Sweet Madeline’s will offer fresh apple cider doughnuts and coffee.
Bloom Bake Shop New England
Bloom Bake Shop is a pop-up bakery that operates across New England and is known for its floraldecorated treats. Its traditional menu includes cinnamon rolls, banana bread, biscuits and more.
Juniper Loft Soap Co. Connecticut
Juniper Loft makes handcrafted and small-batch goat milk soaps, in scents like absinthe, frosted pumpkin, and oakwood and apple.
Twin Pines Farm
Thomaston
Twin Pines Farm sells its wares at the Goshen Fair, the Harwinton Fair, the Garlic Festival, the CT Flower & Garden Show, Bristol Farmer’s Market and Southington Farmer’s Market. At the Big E, the farm will sell jams, pickles, relishes and honey made with Connecticutgrown products.
Best Buddy Biscuits New Haven
Best Buddy Biscuits is a premium dog treat bakery based in New Haven that will sell dog treats at the fair.
Oma's Pride Avon
Oma’s Pride is a familyowned and operated business that makes dog food. At the fair, the business will sell pet food and treats.
Connecticut Department of Agriculture
Connecticut's Department of Agriculture will have rotating agricultural entities and displays.
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Essex
This booth offers information on the historic steam train and riverboat rides in Essex.
Mohegan Sun Uncasville
The casino and resort will host an information booth.
Connecticut Office of Tourism The office’s booth will offer information on tourism attractions, accommodations and special events in Connecticut.
Florence Griswold Museum
Old Lyme
The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, known for its collection of Impressionist artwork, will have an information booth.
Shadowboxing by Jason
Connecticut
Shadowboxing by Jason creates a myriad of goods made from wood, including charcuterie trays, shadowboxes, corn hole sets and more.
Energy Busters Hartford
Energy Busters will offer information on its energyefficient home improvement products.
Earthlight Technologies Ellington
Earthlight Technologies will display information on its solar energy solutions.
Connecticut State Police
Meet and talk with current and retired troopers, and get safety and recruitment information.
Ledge Lighthouse Foundation New London
The Ledge Lighthouse Foundation of New London will provide information on history and tours of historic Ledge Lighthouse.