WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – Good weather and economic conditions have encouraged more than 1.22 million people to visit the Eastern States Exposition.

Big E president Wayne McCary says the exceptional combination helped the fair beat last year’s attendance of more than 1.11 million people.

The 17-day run of the Big E began Sept. 14 and ended Sunday.

Highlights of this year’s edition included performances by American Idol contestants Daughtry and Taylor Hicks, The Big E Circus and daily Mardi Gras parades.

The Big E also featured what organizers said was the region’s largest livestock show and the Live Shark Experience with a 7,000 gallon salt water aquarium filled with sharks.

The Big E in West Springfield is the largest fair in the Northeast.