“Rhode Island Day” will be held on September 22; renovated building will showcase Ocean State experiences, food, arts and history.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – September 17, 2026 – Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Commerce today announced that the Rhode Island Building at The Big E will reopen this fall following a transformation designed to give fairgoers a fresh, immersive introduction to the Ocean State. Additionally, the fair’s “Rhode Island Day” will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, which will feature special exhibits and programming.

The renovated building will welcome visitors when The Big E opens on Friday September 18, 2026 in West Springfield, Massachusetts. As Rhode Island’s home at The Big E, the building serves as a showcase for the state’s destinations, businesses, artists, food and culture before approximately 1.5 million fairgoers during The Big E’s 17-day run.

“For many visitors, the Rhode Island Building is their front door to the Ocean State,” said Governor Dan McKee. “We are putting Rhode Island’s best on display: our world-class destinations, food, artists, makers and small businesses. This is how we turn a day at The Big E into a future trip, a new customer and greater opportunity back home.”

The building renovation is supported through Rhode Island Capital Plan funds approved by the General Assembly. New flooring and lighting, roof improvements, and upgraded doors and windows refresh the building while preserving its distinctive character as a replica of Newport’s historic Colony House. Inside, new exhibits will connect visitors with Rhode Island’s coastline, outdoor recreation, arts, food, makers and tourism destinations.

"With more than 1.5 million visitors, The Big E offers Rhode Island a great opportunity to showcase the people, businesses and experiences that make our state special,” said Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor. “At the exhibition, our displays and shops provide visitors with a taste of our state's tourism destinations and cuisine scene as well as the products that are made and sold in the Ocean State. We're pleased that, once again, our installations this year will connect Rhode Island small businesses with audiences from across the region.”

“The newly renovated Rhode Island Building gives us a fresh and welcoming way to tell the Rhode Island story,” said Commerce Corporation President and CEO Jim Bennett. “Every exhibit, tasting and demonstration offers an opportunity to spark curiosity about our state —

inspiring a future visit, encouraging visitors to explore a Rhode Island business, or simply sharing something new they discovered here. We’re excited to see this historic building bring the full breadth of the Ocean State to life.”

The 2026 Big E runs September 18 through October 4 at the Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Avenue in West Springfield, Massachusetts. For schedules, tickets and visitor information, visit TheBigE.com. To explore Rhode Island destinations and plan a trip, visit VisitRhodeIsland.com.

Additional information about the Rhode Island Building’s vendors, exhibits, Rhode Island Day programming and history is included in the Media Addendum below.

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MEDIA ADDENDUM

2026 Rhode Island Building Vendors, Exhibits and Rhode Island Day Programming

Rhode Island Food, Makers and Visitor Experiences

The building’s marketplace will feature a mix of new and returning vendors. New participants include Gather Glass and JA Patty. Additionally, Breeze Airways will host a custom display highlighting its expansion at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport.

Returning food favorites include Blount Clam Shack, Del’s Lemonade, Friskie Fries, Saugy’s, Southeast Light Delights and Tavolo Wine Bar & Tuscan Grille.

The marketplace will also feature 13 Stars Hot Sauce, Bad Dog Tools, Fenham Publishing, Kettle Korn Express, Lady Ann Candies’ Candyland Market, National Gold and Diamond, and the Rhode Island Brewers Guild.

Outside the building, Rail Explorers USA will offer an interactive railbike demonstration. The South County Tourism Council will also sponsor a sand-sculpting installation promoting the Atlantis Rising International Sand Sculpture Competition, which is expected to return to Ninigret Park in Charlestown in spring 2027.

A New Way to Experience Rhode Island

A new indoor-focused exhibit will use multimedia displays and QR codes to connect visitors with Rhode Island trails, state parks and forests. More than half of Rhode Island is forested, and the experience will highlight the range of natural destinations found in addition to the state’s celebrated coastline.

A main exhibit area will feature an immersive South County experience inspired by the region’s surf, sand and coastal landmarks. A replica of the Point Judith Lighthouse, features of Dambo trolls, wrapped walls and audiovisual displays will introduce visitors to the communities and attractions of southern Rhode Island. The display is presented in partnership with the South County Tourism Council.

Louise Bishop, President and CEO, South County Tourism Council said: “We are thrilled to bring a piece of South County, Rhode Island to the Big E this year. We are so grateful to RI Commerce for allowing us to transform a space in the Rhode Island Building into an immersive South County escape. Come smell the salt air, hear the seagulls and the waves crashing and learn about all there is to see and do in South County. Here summer lingers longer and the beach can be yours into October and beyond. And if you’re looking for outdoor adventures come visit the Thomas Dambo trolls. There’s even a touch of spooky history if you dare to dive in.”

Additionally, the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative will operate a gallery showcasing work by more than 200 Rhode Island artists, with live artist demonstrations planned each day. Gather Glass, a Providence-based studio, will join the marketplace with handmade glasswork and live demonstrations.

Rhode Island Day Returns September 22

Rhode Island Day will take place Tuesday, September 22, with special exhibits and programming on the Rhode Island Building lawn, including musical performances, live artist demonstrations, and a Liberty Tree planting led by the Rhode Island Department of State as part of the state’s America 250 commemoration. The daily Big E Parade will also include the Rhode Island State Police Color Guard as well as the Mt. Hope High School and Portsmouth High School marching bands.

The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council will have a display, and representatives from the National Park Service will also share information about historic sites and national treasures across New England.

The Rhode Island Building was dedicated in 1957, completing The Big E’s Avenue of States. It is a replica of Newport’s Colony House – a Rhode Island state house and where Major John Handy read the Declaration of Independence to Newport residents on July 20, 1776.

 


Rhode Island Media Contact
Giselle Mahoney
Chief of Communications, Executive Office of Commerce
Giselle.Mahoney.CTR@commerce.ri.gov
+1 401 545 0626