ROCKY'S ACE HARDWARE IS THE OFFICIAL ADVANCE SALES TICKET PARTNER OF THE BIG E
ESE and Rocky’s have developed a ticketing initiative that allows fairgoers to purchase 2026 single-day advance discount tickets for adults and children in store now through Sept. 16. Regular price admission tickets will be sold from Sept. 17 to Oct. 4. The 14 participating Rocky’s locations are: Agawam, Springfield (Island Pond Road and Liberty Street), East Longmeadow, Westfield, Ludlow, Palmer, South Hadley, Worcester, Holden and Northborough in Massachusetts. In Connecticut, the locations are Stamford, Vernon and Manchester.
“This year, Rocky’s Ace Hardware celebrates their centennial milestone,” said ESE President and CEO Gene Cassidy. “Like Eastern States Exposition, Rocky’s has served Western Massachusetts and the greater region 100 years and counting. This partnership seemed a natural course at its inception, and we have grown more certain and surefooted as they have continued to invest in The Big E, providing our guests with convenience and valuable service, on and off our fairgrounds.”
Ace Hardware prides itself on being “The Helpful Place”—a local hardware store that sees itself as a part of the community it serves, often independently owned and operated. In a world where shopping has become an expedient and impersonal venture, Ace has never lost sight of the need to be a neighbor, and this overall value of the company is well-honored by our region’s own Rocky’s.
Rocky’s Ace Hardware is also the Official Hardware Store of The Big E, and the exclusive sponsor of the iconic Giant Slide, one of the Fair’s most popular attractions.
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with The Big E,” said Rocky’s Ace Hardware President Rocco Falcone. “As two Western Massachusetts institutions serving communities across New England, this partnership is a natural fit and reflects our shared commitment to the region. We hope fairgoers enjoy the convenience of purchasing tickets in our stores before and during the Fair—and take a ride on the Rocky’s Giant Slide while they’re there.”
Rocky’s Ace Hardware, which has been in continuous operation under the same family ownership since opening its first location in Springfield, Mass., in 1926. From one modest store to its current 50 convenient locations throughout Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, Rocky′s has become one of the country's largest Ace Hardware dealers, noted for its exceptional customer service and vast product selection.
The Big E takes place Sept. 18 through Oct. 4. Visit TheBigE.com for a full schedule of events and be sure to keep up with all major fairtime announcements through our social media.