Big E Drops Opa Opa Brewing Company After Nearly 20 Years

Longtime fair vendor Opa Opa Brewing Company will not return to The Big E for the 2026 season following nearly two decades of operation, after fair organizers chose not to renew the business's annual contract.

Family members who run the Massachusetts-based craft brewery said they received notice on Nov. 5, 2025, that their vendor booth would not be invited back. The decision surprised the family, who noted the 17-day autumn event served as a major pillar of their annual financial income.

Known for popularizing cinnamon sugar rims alongside flavored craft brews like pumpkin and blueberry beer, the vendor had become a mainstay for fairgoers during its 19-year run in West Springfield.

According to Rickie Rizos, whose family owns the company, the notice left little room for recourse after fair officials indicated the determination was final.

"They called me immediately," said Frederickie "Rickie" Rizos.

Reflecting on the decision, Rizos noted the sudden transition created significant operational hurdles for her family's livelihood.

"We're kind of like, 'what do we do? What can we do?'" said Rickie Rizos.

Her sister recalled spending her childhood working inside the fairground setup alongside their parents.

"That’s where I would do my homework. That’s where I would like see friends and hang out for the night," said Vissi Rizos.

She explained how deep their personal history ran with the seasonal operation over the years.

"We would make like beds out of the boxes of cups and like fall asleep there and then go home when they close and then do it all over for the whole month," said Vissi Rizos.

The family noted that fair organizers originally invited them to join the vendor roster years ago.

"The Big E actually sought him out and was like, this is really cool what you’re doing. We would love to have you at our fair," said Rickie Rizos.

Following the public announcement on social media, community members responded with overwhelming support.

"The amount of people on social media that have been supportive," said Rickie Rizos.

Rizos noted the online engagement opened unexpected channels of communication with former patrons.

"They’re asking where they can get the beer and have that experience again. So that has been really nice. We didn’t think anything else was going to come of it and then social media did what social media does," said Rickie Rizos.

Expressing shock at the abrupt end, Rizos described her initial interaction with fair leadership after receiving the decision.

"And at that point (Rizos’ parents) were like, ‘Wait, what did we do? What’s wrong? Like, can we talk?’

And they were just kind of like, this is just is what it is. And there’s nothing we can do," said Rickie Rizos.

Rizos emphasized the profound financial disruption the loss of the two-week event causes independent vendors.

"What businesses are able to make in two weeks can sustain an entire year’s worth of a family’s income for some people," said Rickie Rizos.

She stressed that outsiders often underestimate the economic reality behind seasonal fair contracts.

"And I don’t think people understand the impact that that has," said Rickie Rizos.

Writing on social media, Rizos elaborated on the emotional weight of missing out on what would have been their 20th anniversary at the fairgrounds.

"This fall looks different for us. The end of an era. Words can’t fully describe how I’ve been feeling since receiving the news.

This year would have marked 20 years for my family at the Big E. What started as a small idea grew into something that became a huge part of our lives," said Rickie Rizos.

She voiced frustration over the lack of direct dialogue surrounding the end of their multi-decade presence.

"Rather than any sort of acknowledgment of two decades of participation, memories, and contribution, we were simply informed that we would not be invited back this year… with no explanation. It’s hard to believe that a community I grew up in and a place that meant so much to us could dismiss our business so easily after all these years," said Rickie Rizos.

Despite the sudden departure, Rizos expressed appreciation for their long-term patrons online.

"While this is not the ending we ever expected, we will always be grateful for the thousands of customers, friends, and fellow vendors who supported us year after year. The memories made inside that beer tent—the laughter, the long days, the traditions—will always mean the world to us," said Rickie Rizos.

Organizational statement details confirmed that Eastern States Exposition operates all vendor relationships through single-year agreements.

"Concessionaires who vend at The Big E operate under year-to-year contracts. Eastern States Exposition (ESE) continually evaluates its concession and vendor offerings and makes strategic changes based on the best interests of the organization and its goals, as would any business that works with independent contractors," said Eastern States Exposition.

Fair representatives noted that vendor evaluations cover various operational metrics during review cycles.

"As part of that evaluation process, concessions and vendors that do not meet ESE’s standards in areas such as product offerings, presentation, operational performance, sales and cooperation may not be invited to return. Contracts may also not be renewed as a result of changes to the layout, infrastructure or operational needs of the Fairgrounds," said Eastern States Exposition.

Officials cited ongoing site redevelopments as a factor influencing vendor placement for future events.

"ESE is engaged in a multi-year comprehensive master planning process and feasibility study to reimagine the facility and identify opportunities for improvements to layout and operations. A current area of focus is the west end of the grounds surrounding The Big E Arena. Changes are underway in that area to accommodate a new venue entrance slated for 2027, which impacts the former location of Opa Opa," said Eastern States Exposition.

The organization clarified that vendor notification occurred directly in late 2025 without barring future applications.

"When notified of the non-renewal on November 5, 2025, via phone call, the operators were informed of ESE’s planned changes to the layout of that area and were advised that the decision not to renew Opa Opa’s contract for 2026 did not preclude them from applying for space at The Big{ "title": "The Big E Drops Opa-Opa Brewing After 19 Years", "title_slug": "big-e-drops-opa-opa-brewing", "description": "Opa-Opa Brewing Company was not invited back to The Big E after nearly 20 years, citing annual contract evaluations and fairground redevelopment plans.", "keywords": "Big E, Opa-Opa Brewing, Western Massachusetts, festival vendors, Eastern States Exposition", "category_id": "14", "tags": "BigE, OpaOpaBrewing, LocalBusiness", "thumbnail": "beer tent fairground outdoor setup", "translated_caption": "A viral video is making its rounds on social media, made by the owners of Opa-Opa Brewing Company.", "content": "

Opa-Opa Brewing Company has been dropped from The Big E fair in West Springfield after nearly 20 years of operating its craft beer tent, leaving the family-owned business without its primary source of income.

The family received notification on November 5, 2025, that their agreement would not be renewed for the 2026 fair, which runs from September 18 through October 4. Known for popularizing flavored craft beers and cinnamon sugar rims at the annual event, the brewery previously earned national acclaim, including a silver medal at the 2006 Great American Beer Festival. Social media posts regarding the departure have drawn over 300,000 views, prompting widespread public support.

Rickie Rizos, whose family owns Opa-Opa Brewing, expressed the initial shock and confusion after receiving the non-renewal notice from fair management.

"They called me immediately," said Frederickie "Rickie" Rizos. "We’re kind of like, ‘what do we do? What can we do?’"

Reflecting on her childhood, Rizos shared how deeply integrated the annual fair was into her family's everyday life over the last two decades.

"That’s where I would do my homework. That’s where I would like see friends and hang out for the night," said Vissi. "We would make like beds out of the boxes of cups and like fall asleep there and then go home when they close and then do it all over for the whole month."

She noted that event organizers originally approached her father to join the fair decades ago.

"The Big E actually sought him out and was like, this is really cool what you’re doing. We would love to have you at our fair," said Rickie.

Despite the abrupt transition, the family found comfort in the online reaction from long-time customers and fairgoers.

"The amount of people on social media that have been supportive," said Rickie. "They’re asking where they can get the beer and have that experience again. So that has been really nice. We didn’t think anything else was going to come of it and then social media did what social media does."

Rizos also recalled her parents' unsuccessful attempt to seek clarification following the official letter from the administration.

“And at that point (Rizos’ parents) were like, ‘Wait, what did we do? What’s wrong? Like, can we talk?’

And they were just kind of like, this is just is what it is. And there’s nothing we can do,” she said, adding that the business had never been reprimanded for breaking any rules.

She emphasized the severe financial strain the non-renewal places on seasonal vendors who rely heavily on the event.

“What businesses are able to make in two weeks can sustain an entire year’s worth of a family’s income for some people,” Rickie Rizos told MassLive.com. “And I don’t think people understand the impact that that has.”

In a social media statement, Rizos conveyed the emotional difficulty of closing this long-standing chapter.

“This fall looks different for us. The end of an era. Words can’t fully describe how I’ve been feeling since receiving the news.

This year would have marked 20 years for my family at the Big E. What started as a small idea grew into something that became a huge part of our lives,” she wrote. “Rather than any sort of acknowledgment of two decades of participation, memories, and contribution, we were simply informed that we would not be invited back this year… with no explanation. It’s hard to believe that a community I grew up in and a place that meant so much to us could dismiss our business so easily after all these years."

Rizos expressed gratitude toward the customers and fellow vendors who visited the tent throughout their 19-year run.

“While this is not the ending we ever expected, we will always be grateful for the thousands of customers, friends, and fellow vendors who supported us year after year. The memories made inside that beer tent—the laughter, the long days, the traditions—will always mean the world to us,” Rizos said on Instagram.

She repeated her appreciation for the community support that sustained the brewery's presence over the years.

"The memories made inside that beer tent—the laughter, the long days, the traditions—will always mean the world to us,” one of the members of the family who owns the brewery said.

In response, the Eastern States Exposition stated that vendors operate under year-to-year contracts evaluated annually based on operational needs, layout revisions, and performance standards. The organization noted that ongoing redevelopment at the west end of the fairgrounds for a new venue entrance in 2027 directly impacted Opa-Opa's former location, though the brewery remains eligible to apply for vendor space in future years.

Following the loss of their fair space, the family sold their beer trailer, and owner Antonios Rizos took on work at Paddy's Pizza in Springfield. Opa-Opa products remain available locally at select retailers including Table and Vine, as well as on tap at Captain Jimmy's in Agawam.