Big E Six-Horse Hitch Showdown

The Big E Six Horse Hitch competition showdown is Sunday, Oct. 2.

Click on image to read story and details.

Enter To Compete at The Big E

Make a fine jelly (everyone loves it)? Is there a fine fleece from your flock that just should be shared?

Have a gorgeous garden with gourds, squash or pumpkins that glow with health? Or know of a farm stand display that knocks your socks off?

Well it can win not only a ribbon and be seen by thousands, but premiums awarded earn dollars.

Consider entering the following contests at this year's Big E: The first-ever Jams & Jellies contest, or Home Garden (display for farm stands, home gardens, organic categories), Gourds, Fiber Products, Wreaths (decorated or not, plus categories for Christmas trees).

Details are online or contained in the premium booklet.

The Big E runs Sept. 16 through Oct. 2, 2011. Eastern States Exposition, the organization behind the event, is a not-for-profit corporation committed to excellence in providing year-round opportunities for the development and promotion of agriculture, education, industry and family entertainment while preserving New England heritage.

New England Fire, Rescue, EMS Conference

Hands-on experience with technology will be featured at the 88th New England Fire, Rescue, and EMS Annual Conference and Exposition this weekend, June 25, 26, 27, at The Big E Better Living Center, West Springfield, Mass.

The conference is fully sponsored by the New England Association of Fire Chiefs, Inc., and co-hosted with the New England Division of the IAFC, and the New England Fire Apparatus Maintenance Association, with assistance from the New England Fire Equipment Exhibitors Association.

Fee is $10.

For details call Chief Richard Wehter (781) 749-8626, or visit www.newenglandfirechiefs.org, that's the New England Association of Fire Chiefs.

Editor's note: A session on hands-on operation of fire extinguishers at Portland High School (shown above) with students was conducted by Roybal & Sons Fire Equipment Company of Connecticut.

You Pick - Squashtober, Berlin Fair, Clydesdales

The Coventry Regional Farmers' Market Squashtober Fest is Sunday, Oct. 4, rain or shine.

Then there's the annual Chili Cookoff at Shagbark Lumber & Feed that also welcomes pets in costume at their two locations, Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The annual Berlin Fair, operated by members of the Berlin Lions Club, Friday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 4.

This weekend is the last opportunity to check out The Big E Hallamore Clydesdales (or get a baked potato at the Maine building.)

National Natural Colored Wools Show

The 2009 National Natural Colored Woolgrowers Show is at the Eastern States Exposition (Big E), Sunday, Sept. 27, 2 p.m.

Judge is Tor Sorenson. Sheep events are held in the Mallory complex. The National show will be divided into three divisions: Fine, Medium and Long/Course wool animals.

Sheep breeds featured in the first week included Cheviot, Dorset, Hampshire, Pure Horned Dorset, Montadale, Oxford, Shropshire, Southdown, Suffolk. For the second week: Border Leicester, Columbia, Corriedale, Cotswold, Lincoln, Merino, Natural Colored Medium and Fine, AOB Wool/Hair Sheep Show, Rambouillet, Romney, and Tunis.

For details about the sheep dog trials or shearing demonstrations visit http://www.thebige.com/agriculture/ag_premium_book.html