Connecticut Day at the Big E fair highlighted some the state's tourism efforts, which included the new $1.4 million Full Color Connecticut campaign.
Gov. Ned Lamont and a small entourage paid a visit to the fair's Connecticut building and its state tourism booth.
"They said the booth is packed," Lamont said. "A lot of people picking up brochures finding out more about Connecticut. I love it."
Commissioner of Economic and Community Development David Lehman said the fair is a great way to win new customers: "It's a great showcase for the state and a lot of the artisans and a lot of the products that we have."
The Connecticut building and an adjacent tent include displays for many smaller or lesser-known businesses, like the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme.
"We really reach a lot of people who don't even know who we are," Museum Marketing Associate Emily Clarke said, "which is really important for us, finding new visitors from different parts of New England, from all over the states, even some of our neighbors who haven't been before."
Connecticut Day was marked with live music featuring bands from around the state, including the KC Sisters.
The Big E, including most of the features at the Connecticut building, continues through October 3.